LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 

AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


977.366 

M42e 

1891 


OlS 


e  1 


EARLY  HISTORY 


AND 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 

ILLUSTRATED  BY 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTEEN  SUPERB   ENGRAVINGS  BY  MEL- 
VILLE, CONTAINING  BIOGRAPHICAJ^  SKETCHES  OF  THE 
EARLY   SETTLERS,   THE   EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE 
COUNTY  OBTAINED  FROM  THE  MOST  RELI- 
ABLE SOURCES  AND  MANY  GRAPHIC 
SCENES  AND   INCIDENTS  FROM 

THE  BRIGHT  AND  SHADY  SIDES  OF  PIONEER  LIFE. 


There  arc  no  times  like  the  old  times, 
They  shall  never  be  I'org-ot! 
There  is  no  place  like  the  old  place, 
Keep  g-ruen  the  dear  old  spot! 

— Ilolmcx. 


BY  MILTON  W.  MATHEWS  AND  LEWIS  A.  McLEAN 

EDITORS  OF  THE  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY  HERALD. 


PRICE,  IN  PAPER,  FIFTY  CENTS.     CLOTH,  ONE  DOLLAR. 


riTijLTsnEn  my  the 

CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY  HERALD, 

URBANA.,  ILLINOIS. 

1.S80. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Allen,  Richard 78 

Authors 3 

Bryan,  Malinda < 

Hurton,  Georg-e  W 10 

IJhickshaw,  Edward 20 

IJutler,  Thomas  L 29 

Uoyd,  James 30 

Benedict.  John  A ^ 

Husey.  Simeon  H 80 

IJrown,  Dr.  M.  S 66 

IJovd,  Stephen 67 

Busey.S.T 74 

Brownfleld,  John 79 

Buscy,  Fountain  J 99 

Boltin,  Rezin 104 

Barr,  Andrew 104 

Boyd,  Samuel 106 

Brown  Township 116 

Cantner,  Da^^d 9 

Cunningham,  J.  0 12 

CampViell,  Archa 25 

Cflrle.  Albert  G 28 

Coler,  William  N 69 

Condit  Township 116 

Champaign  Township 120 

Dodge,  John  W 50 

Drullinger,  Harrison  W 63 

Dunlap  Hon.  M.  L 96 

Ely,  George 51 

Early  History 107 

East  Bend  Township 117 

Early  Sunday  Schools 122 

Errata 125 

Ford,  W.J 19 

Foot.W.  J 77 

Gill,  Z.  E 44 

Griggs,  Clark  R 63 

Gere,  John <3 

Garman,  William  S 84 

Graham,   William  W 89 

Gere,  James  S 98 

Hubbard,  Thomas  S 8 

Hunt.  Dr.  C.  A 11 

Heller,  Eli  J ^ 

Harvey,  Moses  D 37 

Halberstadt,  EU 39 

Hays,  Asa  F 57 

Howscr,  Jonathan  N 82 

Harvey.  Ruf us  A 95 

Harwood,  Hon.  Abel 101 

History  107 

Harwood  Township 119 

Hensley  Township 120 

Illinois,  Discovery  ot 5 

Johnson,  James 39 

Jones,  Samuel  D 82 

Jaques,  William  H 92 

Kelley,  Joseph  T 61 

Kerr,  A.  M 73 

Kelley,   Barnard 93 

Kerr  Township 120 

Lincoln,  Abraham 7 

Lindsey,  Thomas 26 

Lewis,  Andrew 30 

Lowcnstern,   Morris 40 

Leal,  Thomas  R 42 

Lyons.  Alonzo 53 

Ludlow   Township 119 


PAGE. 

McLean,   Lewis  A 15 

McCain,  John  L 16 

McGee,  Giles  F 70 

Munhall,  Rev.  Wm 77 

Morehouse,  Calvin  R 8<i 

McNichols,  Arthur  W 94 

Mosier,  Dr.  Phillip  C 105 

Newcomb  Township  116 

Owens,  W.  H 10 

Osgood,  Samuel 72 

Ogden  Township 118 

Old  Settlers'  Meetings 123 

Phillips,  John  T 21 

Parker,  E.  W 46 

Prather,  Benjamin  P 83 

Porterfleld,  J.  B 84 

Preface 4 

Preemptors'  Fight 121 

Riley.N.  A 13 

Hadebaugh,  William 28 

Roe,  James  T 31 

Rogerson,  John 46 

Radebaugh,  S.  B  47 

Redhed,  William 54 

Rinehart,  Martin 64 

Riley,  Rev.  G.  W 87 

Roughton,  John 97 

Renner,   Henry  W 100 

Rugg,  Daniel Wi 

Rantoul  Township 118 

Stevenson,  Elisha  Sr 14 

Silvei%  David 18 

Spence,  Alexander 21 

Stav-ton,  David  B , 22 

Strong,  John  H 27 

Somei-s.  James  W ,  36 

SUver,  Wallace 38 

Somers,  William  D 41 

Somers,  William  H 44 

Scott,  Fielding  L 48 

Somers,  Abner  W 49 

Stidham,  Penrose , 55 

Somers,  Dr.  Winston 56 

Sale,  F.  B 58 

Sim,  WUliam 59 

Smith,  Henry  C 6.5 

Shawhan,  George  R 68 

Somers,  James  L 76 

Shawhan,  William  M 80 

Sim,  Joseph  W 89 

Spencer,  John  M 91 

Snyder,  Francis  M 91 

Schools 110 

Somer  Township 112 

St.  Joseph  Township ll_t, 

Stanton  Township , 117 

Sunday  schools l|j" 

Thornburn,  John 16 

Tenbrook,  J.  P 54 

Thomas,  John  C 62 

Thompson,  James  G 85 

Urbana  Township 112 

Wright,  Randolph  C 18 

AVright,  James  S *3 

Wilson,   George 38 

Webber,  Thomson  R 45 

Ware,  James  C 70 

Webber,  George  G 70 


THE    AUTHORS. 


■«SSSS«S!^^ 


AVo  present  the  above  portraits  of  the  authors  of  the  "Early  History  ami  Pioneers  of 
Champaign  County,"  and  editors  of  the  Champaign  County  Herat-d,  tlic  newspaper 
wliieh  conceived  and  cari'ied  out  tlie  first  enteri)rise  of  this  kind  in  tiie  United  States,  or 
in  the  world  for  that  matter.  It  is  doubtless  the  fore-runner  of  many  similar  enterprises 
that  will  follow.  The  Hekald  was  established  in  1S77  by  S.  C.  Harris  &  Co.,  and  sliortly 
afterward  it  absorbed  the  Republican,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  Bulletin,  i>ublished 
for  a  sliort  time  by  F.  M.  Snyder,  it  has  been  the  only  paper  published  at  Urbana.  It  has 
been  republican  in  politics,  and  in  the  campaigns  since  its  establishment  it  has  given  no 
uncertain  sound.  It  was  purchased  May  21,  1879.  by  M.  W.  Mathews  and  C.  B.  Taylor, 
wlio  at  once  enlarged  the  paper  to  its  present  size  and  form.  Mr.  Taylor  sold  out  to  M. 
W.  Mathews  in  1881,  who  still  owns  it.  It  takes  especial  interest  in  the  schools  of  the 
county,  and  has  secured  and  still  retains  the  superintendent  of  schools,  (t.  R.  Shawhan,  as 
a  contributor  to  its  cohnnus.  By  its  use  he  has  organized  the  brigade  of  teachers  in  this 
county  in  a  manner  tliat  enables  them  to  largely  increast;  their  etiiciency  and  u.sefulness. 
It  also  gives  a  liberal  share  of  its  space  to  the  churches  and  Sunday  schools  of  the  county 
and  is  rei^arded  as  the  organ  of  that  large  and  respectable  class  of  our  peojile. 

Its  corps  of  correspondents  at  the  principal  centers  of  )io])u!ati(m  in  the  county  are 
selected  with  reference  to  their  good  standing  and  reliability.  It  is  compelled  by  reason 
of  its  large  advertising  i)atronage  at  times  to  make  tlie  paper  double  the  size  of  its  co- 
temporaries  and  once  or  twice  a  year  it  issiu's  large  special  editions  three  or  four  times 
tiie  size  of  a  county  paper.  Its  growth  has  been  phenomenal  in  newsimper  liistory  and  its 
list  of  subscribers  has  gradually  grown  larger  witlnmt  any  special  etfort  in  that  direction 
until  the  families  into  whose  homes  it  goes  lunuber  nearly  three  thousand.  It  has  attain- 
ed this  position  in  the  newspaper  world  by  assiduously  shutting  out  all  advertising  or 
reading  matter  of  a  (piestionable  character,  and  taking  high  moral  grounds  on  all  public 
ipiestions.  While  it  is  radically  re)>ublicau  in  i)olitics,  it  treats  its  iiolitical  oiiponcnts  with 
fairness  and  thus  holds  the  resi)ect  of  all  political  parties.  It  criticises  its  own  party  man- 
agers, local  or  general,  for  any  dishonest  schemes  or  attempts  to  gain  unfair  advanta.ge 
and  thus  wields  an  inliuence  for  honesty  in  politics  both  at  the  |)rimaries  and  at  elections. 
Thus  it  is  at  all  times  lit  to  enter  the  family  and  its  i)atrons  have  no  fear  of  anything 
being  admitted  to  its  colunuis  wiiich  cannot  be  read  aloud  in  the  family  circle.  It  has 
done  and  is  still  doing  nuich  to  elevate  the  profession  of  journalism  in  lllinctis  and  is  re- 
ceiving it,s  reward  by  an  unparalelled  patronage  by  the  intcdligent  people  of  ('hampaign 
conntv. 


PIONEERS  AND  EARLY  SETTLERS, 


THE   MEN    WHO  MADE  A  GARDEN   OF  A  WILDERNESS  AND  BUILT  AN 
EMPIRE  ON  THE  VAST    PRAIRIES  OF  THE  WEST. 


After  wpoks  and  months  siven  to  a  patient 
investigation  of  the  early  history  of  liie  pi- 
oneers and  early  settlers  of  this  rich  and 
jtoimlous  county,  and  of  the  lives  of  the 
brave  men  and  women  who  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  its  present  prosperity,  we  submit 
with  i)l('asure  and  a  degree  of  pride,  the  re- 
sults of  our  labors.  True,  these  necessarily 
lack  completeness,  but  so  far  as  they  go 
tliey  will  be  found  interesting  and  trust- 
worthy. 

We  arc  prone,  in  the  midst  of  the  activi- 
ties of  the  present,  to  forget  our  obligations 
to  the  bold,  self-sacrilicing  pioneers  and 
early  settlers  who,  amid  privations  and 
dangers,  founded  an  empire  in  the  wilder- 
ness and  thus  ma<le  passable  the  comforts 
and  blessings  of  the  civilization  that  we,  to- 
day, enjoy,  lleirs  of  the  past  we  are  also 
its  debtors,  and  it  is  fit  that  we  often  recall 
to  grateful  recollection  the  early  settlers  to 
whom  the  present  generation  are  under  so 
many  and  lasting  obligations.  The  facts 
set  forth  in  these  pages,  not  heretofore  hav- 
ing been  embalmed  in  print,  had  to  be  col- 
lected from  interviews  with  the  grayliaired 
representatives  of  the  "good  old  days,"  who, 
crowned  with  the  respect  and  honor  of  all 
tlioughtful  men,  yet  linger  among  us.  We 
deem  it  fortunate  that  the  work  of  preserv- 
ing their  recollections  of  tlie  first  days  of 
this  county  and  the  life  history  of  these  he- 
roes of  days  goni!  by,  has  been  undertaken 
before  the  last  old  settler  sliall  be  gathered 
to  his  fatliers.  This  work,  undertaken  with 
some  misgivings,  has  proved  a  labor  of  love 
to  us;  whatever  of  interest  and  worth  it  em- 
l.'odies,  whatever  of  credit  shall  attach  to  it, 
belongs  to  those  who  in  various  ways  have 


aided  iis  in  its  preparation  and  especially  to 
those,  whose  life  work  nearly  done,  have 
generously  contributed  the  facts  and  inci- 
dents herein  contained.  Thus  have  we  been 
enabled  to  gather  from  the  living  the  tender 
memories  of  those  whose  sacrifices  have 
opened  up  this  garden  of  the  west.  Let  the 
present  kneel  at  the  shrine  of  the  past  and 
drink  in  the  lessons  it  teaches.  Many  of 
them  left  pleasant  homes,  surrounded  by  the 
luxuries  of  life,  where  human  toil  had  gar- 
nered much  into  the  store  of  comfort,  and 
here  by  their  iron  wills  and  correct  habits, 
yet  survived  the  dangers  that  ambushed  on 
either  side  their  pathway.  Many  a  spot  has 
become  sacred  because  the  dust  of  the  de- 
parted pioneers  have  been  enshrined  there- 
in, whose  lives  were  taken  in  the  struggle 
to  bequeath  these  splendid  prairie  homes 
and  build  up  these  beautiful  thriving  cities 
and  villages  that  dot  the  land. 

The  soldier  who  risks  his  life  in  battle  for 
his  countrymen  receives  the  highest  praise 
and  glory ;  but  these  hardy  men  and  women, 
who  battled  with  malaria  and  disease  in 
blazing  the  pathway  of  posterity  through  a 
wilderness  of  latent  dangers,  to  such  a  goal 
of  health  and  happiness  as  we  have  reached, 
deserve  to  have  their  memories  preserved 
as  we  are  doing  now,  and  handed  down  to 
those  who  follow  us.  We  beg  to  urge  upon 
the  young  men  and  youth  whose  eyes  shall 
fall  upon  these  pages,  to  ponder  well  the 
records  of  these  busy  lives,  that  they  may 
rightly  estimate  tiie  great  inheritance  they 
have  received,  and  thus  be  led  to  emulate, 
and  if  possible,  to  equal  the  virtues  of  the 
great  generation  they  are  to  succeed. 


/'/(iAK^V.'S   <if  t  HAMt'AlUA  atL'ATV 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  ILLINOIS, 


Illinois,  tiioiisjli  yoiiiiir  in  statehood, 
ivaclics  baolv  Cor  two  liunilre<l  years  in  in- 
teresting annals  and  they  are  connected  with 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  religious  orders 
the  world  ever  saw.  It  was  in  the  pontiti- 
cate  of  I'aiil  111.,  in  1.53<5,  that  it  aro.se  when 
the  billows  of  the  Reformation  rolling  on- 
ward to  their  destiny,  threatenetl  the  speedy 
overthrow  of  Papal  power  in  Europe.  Its 
founder  was  a  soldier  in  Spain,  Ignatius 
Loyohi,  and  it  was  known  as  the  "Society 
of  Jesus." 

Loyola  became  its  general  and  head,  and 
dying  was  canonized  as  Saint  Ignatius. 
They  labored  with  untiring  zeal  and  indus- 
try, defending  the  faith  then  so  violently  at- 
tacked by  Luther  and  others.  As  spiritual 
teachers  they  had  no  equals ;  they  possessed 
the  learning  of  the  age  and  became  the  con- 
science keepers  of  kuigs,  emperors  and  no- 
bles. They  mingled  politics  with  their  le- 
ligion  and  they  had  wily,  able  and  untiring 
actors  at  every  court  in  Europe;  they  found- 
ed schools  and  colleges,  and  thus  handed 
down  their  teachings;  they  became  rich  and 
haughty ;  the  crowned  heads  became  alarm- 
ed at  their  influence  and  power,  and  expelled 
them  from  their  dominions.  Their  enthusi- 
asm and  energy  knew  no  bounds;  they  were 
well  calculated  to  convert  the  heathen ;  alike 
to  them  were  the  wintry  blasts,  the  summer's 
heat,  the  pestilence  or  the  scalping  knife, 
the  stormy  billows  of  ocean  or  the  cyclones 
and  hurricanes  of  the  lantl;  they  dreaded 
nothing.  No  spot  on  earth,  however  seclud- 
ed, could  escape  them,  for  with  falcon 
glance  and  eagle  daring  they  darted  their 
scrutiny  into  every  nook  and  (Corner  of  both 
hemispheres,  where,  planting  the  cross  and 
erecting  rude  altars  for  the  occasion,  they 
gathered  the  wondering  savages  around 
them,  remained  with  them  and  linally  won 
them. 

On  this  continent  tiiey  labored  in  a  very 
early  day.  Relics  of  their  presence  are  to 
be  found  in  Elaine,  whilst  the  explorations 
of  ('hami)liiiu  o))eued  to  them  a  new  and  en- 
larged lield  for  their  operations  and  it  was 
through  that  channel  that  this  ))eculiar  peo- 
ple apiiroached  the  valley  in  which  Illinois 
is  situated.  Before  1(147  the  Jesuits  had 
traced  the  course  of  the  ocean  lakes,  except 
Michigan,  and  bravely  contended  with  the 
savages  that  roamed  tiieir  borders,  enduring 
perils  and  sufferings  of  which  there  is  no 
parallel. 

In  ICiCri  Claude  Allonez  established   on  the 


bay  of  Cheqoimegon,  on  the  south  border  of 
Lake  Superior,  the  Mission  of  St.  Esprit,  or 
Holy  Spirit.  To  it  came,  besides  other  scat- 
tered banils,  the  Pottawatomies,  from  Lake 
Michigan,  the  Sacs  and 'Foxes  from  their 
desert  jdains,  and  the  Illinois  from  their 
beautiful  and  placid  river. 

In  KifiT  this  same  intrepid  man,  with  Claude 
Dablon  and  James  Marquette,  two  eciually 
zealous  and  intrepid  brothers  of  the  order 
wlio  had  that  year  come  from  France,  estab- 
lished the  "Mission  of  Saint  Mary  of  the 
Falls"  at  what  is  now  known  as  Sault  St. 
Mary.  In  1071  Marquette  established  the 
mission  of  St.  Ignace,  so-called  from  the 
founder  of  the  order,  at  a  spot  on  the  main- 
land near  where  Mackinaw  now  stands,  and 
in  the  following  year,  with  AUouez  and 
Dablon  explored  the  country  of  the  "Mi- 
amis"  and  of  the  "Mascoutins"  about  Chicago 
and  made  excursions  over  the  i>lains  of  Wis- 
consin and  into  every  part  of  those  regions 
wherever  a  nation  of  Indians  was  under- 
stood to  reside,  meantime  kee|)ing  up  com- 
munication with  Canada.  With  no  weapons 
but  the  crucifix  and  the  breviary,  with  no 
aids  but  the  faithful  compass  and  their  sav- 
age guides,  prompted  alone  by  religious  en- 
thusiasm, did  they  wander  upon  the  great 
inland  seas  amid  the  dangers  from  savage 
tribes  of  the  forest  to  display  their  little 
tapers  amid  the  dark  and  dreary  regions  of 
the  great  west  and  jtlant  tiie  cross  and  cruci- 
lix  in  advance  alike  of  the  spirit  of  com- 
merce and  of  conquest. 

To  the  adventure  of  Marquette,  with 
Allouez  and  Dablon,  to  the  western  extrem- 
ity of  Lake  Superior  in  1678,  is  the  world  in- 
debted for  the  discovery  of  Illinois  and  the 
vast  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  roving 
Sioux,  who  lived  upon  the  i)rairies  which 
this  great  river  drains,  on  their  visits  to  the 
mission  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  had  uuich  to  tell 
of  the  country  they  inhabited— boasted  of 
its  beauties,  its  verdure  and  of  the  I'iver 
which  they  called  the  "Mississippi"  running 
to  the  south;  but  they  kiu'w  not  the  ocean 
into  which  it  flowed.  ^laniuette  drank  in 
their  story  and  being  satislied  he  should  find 
upon  its  banks  new  nations  au\ong  wliich  he 
could  erect  the  synfl)ol  of  his  faith,  he  pre- 
pared to  visit  their  luuiting  gr<mnds  to  the 
southwanl.  He  was  joined  by  Joliet  from 
Quebec;  these  two,  with  a  few  Frenchmen 
to  pa<ldle  their  canoes  and  two  Indians  of 
the  AIgou(|uin  nation  as  guides  to  the  Wis- 
consin, which  they   reached    in   June,   l(i7:^. 


PIONEERS   OF  CHAMPAION  COUNTY. 


wlit'iTre-t'iiibarkinj;,  «'s('ai.iii)ii:  all  tlif  dan- 
iijers  of  tliat  stream,  its  cunrnt  bearing  tiieiii 
upon  a  couise  new  and  unused  to  them,  on 
the  ITtli  they  stood  ui)on  tlie  i)anks  of  the 
great  river  of  wliich  tiie  .Sioux  iiad  spoken, 
and  which  Manpiette  liad  h)iiged  to  beliold. 
If  we  except  the  steel  clad  foih)wers  of  De 
Soto,  who  Spanish  story  tells  us  crossed  the 
Father  of  Waters  in  15:^5  and  penetrated  to 
Missovui  in  search  of  glittering  treasure, 
and  in  wiiose  bosom  he  found  an  unexpect- 
ed grave,  tliese  were  the  lirst  white  men  to 
behold  it.  Then  for  the  lirst  time  was  civil- 
ized man  upon  its  banks. 

Their  canoes  glide  safely  on  its  placid 
bosom;  the  rapids  of  Kock  Island  are 
passed.  The  scenery  of  the  shores  cap- 
tivated them.  No  human  foot  print  is  seen 
until  after  they  pass  the  lower  rapids ;  then 
one  is  discovered.  Tliey  follow  it  and  it 
leads  them  to  the  banks  of  another  river 
shining  with  verdure  and  dotted  with  In- 
<tian  wigwams.  They  are  met  by  the  savage 
owners  bearing  the  calumet  and  are  kindly 
received.  A  great  council  is  held  and  Mar- 
<iuette  tells  them  of  the  great  king  over  the 
tlie  water  and  of  his  power  to  protect  them. 

Descending  they  came  to  the  month  of 
the  Illinois  coming  in  from  the  east,  thence 
through  varying  scenes  they  pass  the  mouth 
of  the  unobtrusive  Kaskaskia  then  the  mouth 
of  the  Ohio,  thence  through  the  region  of 
the  cane  and  they  tind  a  hotter  sun;"  they 
meet  red  men  with  steel  axes  for  weapons 
below  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas;  the  pipe 
of  peace  wards  off  all  danger;  the  mysteries 
of  their  faith  are  unfolded  to  the  wandering 
savages.  They  cease  their  journey  to  the 
southward  and  start  on  their  return  up 
the  rapiil  stream  toiling  many  a  weary  day 
revealing  to  the  tribes  he  encountered  the 
Christian  God.  Back  to  the  mouth  of  the  Ill- 
inois they  proceed  ui)  the  tranquil  stream. 
The  country  seemed  an  eaithly  paradise 
and  they  passed  the  heautiful  prairies  cov- 
ered with  Howers  of  every  tint  and  with  the 
most  luxuriant  herbage,  vast  herds  of  buffalo 
and  deer,  past  singing  birds  of  every  variety 
of  plumage,  they  poured  out  their  gratitude 
to  Him  who  ha<l  led  them  safely  to  this  land 
of  beauty   so  full  of  glorious  gifts  for    num. 

But  few  Indians  were  discovered  until 
they  arrived  at  Peoria  Lake:  here  the  Illin- 
ois Nation  urged  him  to  remain  with  them, 
but  he  pursued  his  journey  passing  thnmgh 
Chicago  to  Green  Bay  where  he  arrived  at 
the  close  of  September  l(i~:),  having  by  his 
arduous  voyage  given  an  empire  to  liis 
sovereign  and  innnortality  to  himself.  In 
the  fall  of  1(174  lie  determined  to  visit  the 
missions  lie  had  planted  in  Illinois  at  Utica, 
in   LaSalle  couiitv,  the  site  then  called   or 


known  as  Kaskaskia,  and  at  Peoria.  Being 
taken  sick  when  he  reached  Chicago  in 
December  1674,  he  remained  till  the  follow- 
ing March  1075.  During  this  stay  about  six 
miles  from  the  east  end  of  Madison  street, 
(then  the  mouth  of  the  Chicago  river)  near 
where  McCormick's  reaper  factory  now 
stands,  was  built  by  him  a  cabin,  the  first 
abode  by  civilized  man  within  the  limits  of 
the  state  of  Illinois.  Here  died  and  now 
lies  buried  in  an  obscure  and  forgotten  grave, 
the  discoverer  of  Illinois  his  only  dirge  the 
sullen  moan  of  the  wild  waters  of  Lake 
Michigan  for  more  than  a  century.  What  a 
resting  place  for  such  distinction ;  what  a 
sepulchre  for  so  much  glory ;  what  obseciuies 
to  so  much  piety,  so  much  fortitude,  so  much 
energy,  so  much  unflinching  zeal. 

Since  then  the  spirit  of  commerce  and 
worldly  enterprise  following  as  it  ever  has 
behind  the  form  of  Christian  inquiry  and 
zeal  has  built  above  the  unmarked  grave 
of  the  great  discoverer,  that  magnirtceut 
city  of  Chicago;  and  now  and  for  the  cen- 
turies to  come  it  must  be  the  monument  to 
the  memory  of  Marquette,  the  first  settler  of 
Illinois.  Other  explorers  and  priests  fol- 
lowed, but  it  is  only  the  purpose  of  this 
article  to  gather  for  our  readers  something 
of  the  civilized  man  whose  eyes  tirst  looked 
upon  these  broad  prairies  and  lirst  made  his 
habitation  within  the  borders  of  Illinois. 
We  have  in  doing  this  freely  used  the  very 
interesting  work  of  the  late  Judge  Sidney 
Breeze,  entitled,  "Early  History  of  Illinois." 
We  submit  this  brief  resume  as  a  fitting  pre- 
lude to  the  biographical  sketches  and  early 
incidents  of  our  own  county  of  Champaign, 
appearing  elsewhere  in  this  publication.  It 
will  be  observed  that  a  church  and  not  a 
fort  was  the  foundation  stone  of  the  history 
of  Illinois.  The  crucifix  and  not  the  sword 
was  the  weapon  of  the  advance  guard  that 
took  possession  of  this  vast  prairie  state. 
The  spirit  of  religion  and  devotion  to  Al- 
mighty God,  and  not  that  of  avarice  or  con- 
quest nerved  the  arm  of  the  first  settler  of 
Illinois.  Let  us  hope  that  the  same  high  as- 
pirations and  sublime  faith  may  be  the  her- 
itage of  those  who  now  or  may  herafter  in- 
habit this  glorious  garden  of  Illinois. 


rf<txh:f:i,'s'  of  cuAMPAiaN  county. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY: 


A15RAUAM  Lincoln. 
The  reader  will  naturally  ask  "Why  do 
you  place  the  portrait  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
among  the  old  settlers  of  Champaign  coun- 
ty?" We  answer,  because  he  practiced  law 
here  tor  many  years,  and  many  of  tlie  old 
settlers  whose  biograjihies  appear  iij  this  is- 
sue were  well  acquainted  with  him;  then 
another  reason  is  that  while  practicing  here 
lie  one  day  went  to  a  gallery  in  Urbana  in 
1857,  before  he  became  famous,  to  have  his 
picture  taken;  he  was  in  his  shirt  sleeves, 
and  the  artist  loaned  him  his  coat  to  sit  for 
the  i)icture.  William  H.  Somers,  now  of 
San  Diego,  California,  while  a  resident  of 
Beatrice,  Nebraska,  had  a  large  nnmher  of 
photographs  taken  from  that  old  iiictin-c. 
He  kindly  complimented  the  Herald  with 
one  of  these  photographs.  Our  artist  and 
engraver  has  made  the  al)ove  picture  from 
this  photograph  and  shows  the  great  eman- 
cipator as  iu'  looked  when  he  was  a  western 
lawyer  residing  (juietly  in  Si)ringlield,  111., 
and  practicing  law  here  and  in  other  coun- 
ties. It  is  tlie  only  engraving  of  Mr.  iAn- 
coln  which  shows  him  as  he  was  befon^  he 
became  famous  in  the  history  of  the  woii^l. 
A  biography  is  lumecessarv. 


.........i!i;&'Wv;-5v: . 

Mrs.  Malinda  Bryan. 

The  above  portrait  is  that  of  the  first  bride 
in  Champaign  county,  and  for  that  reason  we 
take  especial  i)Ieasuro  in  presenting  it  and  a 
brief  sketch  of  her  life.  She  was  born  in  Shel- 
by county,  Kentucky,in  isr3,and  resided  with 
her  parents,  Isaac  and  Sarah  Busey,  until 
she  was  nineteen  years  old,  when  she  came 
with  them  to  Vermilion  county,  in  1831. 
Champaign  was  separated  from  Vermil- 
ion in  May,  1833,  and  Miss  Malinda  Bu- 
sey was  married  to  John  Bryan  July  2r)th,  of 
the  same  year  by  Esquire  J.  B.  Thomas,  of 
Homer.  Soon  after  lier  marriage  they  went 
to  Kentucky  to  visit  the  scenes  of  her  youth 
and  spend  the  honeymoon  with  the  friends 
of  her  girlhood  days,  not  in  a  palace  car  nor 
in  a  line  carriage,  but  on  horseback,  ^[rs. 
Bryan  rode  the  same  horse  to  Kentucky  and 
back  five  times  before  the  iron  horse  came 
to  supplant  this  primitive  method  of  locomo- 
tion. 

She  was  converted  anti  baptized  in  May, 
1834,  under  the  ministration  of  Isaac 
B.  Newell,  who  was  the  preacher  that  in  la- 
ter years  organized  the  Baptist  church  in  Ur- 
bana. 

Mrs.  Bryan  remembers  vividly  u  numhei 
of  Indian  scares,  especially  durnig  the  time 
of  tlie  Blackhawk  war,  when  she  declares 
that  they  felt  certain  that  old  Black- 
hawk  himself  was  coming  on  more  than  one 
occasion.      John  Hryan    died   .luly  (1,    lS(i;!. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


8 


Mrs.  Bryan  has  a  daiigliter  in  Chicago,  one 
in  Kantoul,  ^\  lie  of  F.  M.  Avey,  also  ono 
son  there.  Three  sons  and  four  daughters 
lie  buried  by  tlie  side  of  their  father  in  the 
Bryan  graveyard,  near  Mahomet. 

Mrs,  Bryan  resides  in  liantoul  and  regu- 
larly attends  the  old  settlers'  meeting  every 
year,  where  she  is  an  object  of  great  inter- 
est because  she  is  the  first  woman  that  en- 
tered upon  the  sea  of  matrimony  within  the 
borders  of  ('hami)aigu  county.  She  is  active 
and  intelligent  and  it  is  to  be  Iioped  she  may 
continue  to  meet  witb  the  pioneers  of  the 
county  each  succeeding  year  tor  many  years 
to  come. 


TirOMAS   S.   HUBBAKD. 

The  New  England  states  have  contributed 
more  to  the  growth,  development  and  per- 
manency of  western  institutions  than  all  the 
other  states  combined.  Evidences  of  Yan- 
kee thrift,  push  and  superior  intelligence 
are  to  be  foutul  on  every  hand  throughout 
the  great  west.  A  new  era  marlved  the  ad- 
vent of  tlie  New  Eiiglaiuler  in  the  west;  he 
brought  witii  him  culture,  education  and 
ideas,  the  outgrowth  of  his  superior  advant- 
ages and  education  obtained  in  tlu;  schools 
of  states  that  were  the  first  to  recognize  the 
imi)ortance  of  the  education  of  the  masses 
ami  the  fostering  of  institutions  of  learning. 
8oon  after  their  arrival  school  houses  and 
churches  began  to  spring  up  and  dot  the 
land  and  the  crude,  rough  ways  and  pioneer 
customs  gave  way  before  superior  intelli- 
gence and  education.  Their  intelligence, 
thrift  and  energy  ma<le  tliem  vaiual)le  acqui- 


sitions and  welcome  visitors  in  every  new 
settlement. 

The  Hubbai'd  family  are  originally  of 
English  ancestry,  and  of  an  old  New  Eng- 
land family.  George  Hubbard,  the  father 
of  Thomas  S.,  was  a  native  of  Middletown, 
Conn.  In  his  early  life  he  followed  tlu^  call- 
ing of  sea  captain.  When  the  embargo  was 
laid  upon  the  shipping  interests  in  1820  by 
President  Jackson,  he  abandoned  the  sea 
and  engaged  in  hotel  keeping  and  farming. 
He  died  in  1833,  He  married  Electa  Brou- 
son,  who  was  born  in  Farmington,  Conn. 
She  died  in  August,  1863.  Thomas  S.  was 
the  only  sou  and  eighth  child.  He  was  born 
in  Middletown,  Conn.,  September  2.5th,  1825. 
He  received  his  eiiucation  primarily  in  the 
excellent  schools  of  his  native  village,  and 
in  1845  entered  Yale  college  from  which  in- 
stitution he  graduated  in  1S49.  In  that  class 
was  Timothy  Dwiglit,  now  president  of 
Yale;  also  Dr.  Fisk,  professor  in  the  Con- 
gregational Theological  Seminary,  of  Chica- 
go, and  Dr.  Morris,  who  now  occupies  the 
same  position  in  the  Lane  Theological  Semi- 
nary, of  Ohio.  After  Mr.  Hubbard's  gradu- 
ation he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
Japanned  tinware  and  hardware  in  Meri- 
den  and  Durliam,  Conn.  He  continued  thus 
engaged  until  18.54,  when  he  closed  (mt  Ids 
interests  and  came  wei^t,  landing  in  Urbana 
December  Sth,  18.54.  Here  he  went  to  church 
in  the  primitive  M.  E.  meeting  house  that 
stood  on  the  spot  where  Heller  &  Toy's  liv- 
ery stable  now  stands,  with  puncheon  seats, 
anil  heard  the  gentle  nun-nun-  of  the  festive 
hog  as  he  scratched  his  back  upon  the  sleep- 
ers from  his  lair  beneatli  the  floor,  regard- 
less of  prayer  or  song  or  of  tlie  usual  ciun-ch 
proprieties. 

Here  he  engaged  in  private  banking  and 
continued  until  in  February,  18.56;  he  then 
accepted  the  position  of  cashier  in  the 
Grand  Prairie  Bank,  which  had  a  branch  at 
West  Urbana.  These  were  the  only  banks 
in  Chami)aign  county,  prior  to  ISOl.  Mr. 
Hubbard  contimied  cashier  until  the  latter 
date ;  he  then  engaged  in  the  grocery  and 
hardware  trade  and  continued  it  until  ISfiO, 
when  he  moved  to  Cromwell,  Conn,  (form- 
erly a  part  of  Middletown)  and  remainett 
until  180)9,  when  he  returned  to  Urbana. 
Since  the  latter  date  he  has  been  cMigaged 
in  the  hai'dware  trade. 

When  Mr.  Hubbard  first  settled  in  Ur- 
bana tliere  was  not  a  brick  house  in  the  town 
except  a  small  one  story  dwelling  house  sit- 
uated at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  court 
house  square.  The  store  building  now  oc- 
cupied by  M.  Lowenstern  »fe  Son  was  built 
one  story  and  completed  the  following  year, 
'['he  Illinois  Central  railroail  was  tinished  to 


PluXh:t:iiS  OF  CllAMI'AKJA  COUNTY. 


Champaign  in  the  fall  of  1^*.>4,  but  did  not 
run  trains  regularly  that  winter.  Mr.  llub- 
bard'.s  banking  office  and  residence  from 
lb54  to  i>viO  were  on  the  same  ground  now 
occupied  by  his  hardware  store. 

Mr.  Hubbard  married  Miss  Jane  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  Willis  Woodruff'  M.  D.,  of  Meriden, 
Conn.,  November  14th,  1849.  Of  this  union 
there  are  four  children  whose  names  are  as 
follows:  George  W.,  who  married  Miss 
Edna  P.  Post,  of  Cromwell,  Conn.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Hubbard  &  Son, 
hardware  merchants,  Urbana.  Minnie  W., 
Julia  E.  and  Harry  T.  are  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  Hubbard  and  his  entire  family  are 
memt)ers  of  the  Presbyterian  churcli.  In  his 
political  affiliations  he  has  always  acted  and 
voted  with  the  republican  party;  he  was  a 
member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  from  1875 
to  1879  and  from  1884  to  1886. 

Mr.  Hubbard  is  a  genmne  representative 
of  tiie  thrift  and  enterprise  of  tiie  New  Eng- 
lander  described  above.  He  is  ever  ready  to 
aid  every  enterprise  that  gives  promise  of 
building  up  the  town  and  county.  He  and 
his  son,  George  AV.,  his  jiartner,  conduct  one 
of  the  largest  hardware,  stove  and  tin  stores 
in  the  county  and  have  for  years  done  a  prof- 
itable business. 


David  C.\ntneu 
Was  boni  in  Hedford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1«17.  His  parents  dying  wiiile  he  was 
young  he  made  his  home  with  a  pnmiinent 
iron  merchant  by  the  name  of  Sliellalu'rger, 
of  IJedtiird  county.  He  learned  the  trade  of 
cabinet  maker.  The  exact  date  of  his  com- 
ing>vest  is  unknown.      He   worked  at   his 


trade  in  Indianapolis  for  several  years  be- 
fore he  arrived  in  Urbana.  He  landed  here 
in  lK8y.  He  went  to  the  Sangamon  and 
opened  a  store  in  the  village  of  Mahomet, 
also  kept  a  hotel  there,  and  later  farmed  for 
a  year  or  two.  In  the  spring  of  1842,  he  mar- 
ried, and  soon  after  came  to  Urbana.  Here 
he  engaged  in  various  business,  but  more 
particularly  carpentering  and  building.  In 
18GG,  the  village  of  llantoul  began  to  loom 
up.  The  surrounding  country  began  to  settle 
up  and  there  was  a  demand  for  houses.  Mr. 
Cantner  went  there  and  in  a  few  years  prac- 
tically built  the  town.  He  came  back  to  Ur 
bana  in  1872  and  here  engaged  in  grocery  an^ 
provision  trade  on  a  large  scale.  He  still 
continued  building.  In  1873,  he  erectetl  the 
St.  Nicholas  hotel  block  and  the  next  year 
put  up  the  block  of  buildings  on  Market 
street  and  also  built  several  dwelling  houses. 
The  hard  times  coming  on  caught  him  in 
close  financial  quarters  and  he  yielded  to  the 
inevitable,  though  not  without  making  a 
herculean  struggle.  It  may  be  said  of  him 
that  he  contributed  more  to  the  towns  of  Ur- 
bana and  llantoul  than  any  dozen  of  men. 
Tlie  building  now  occupied  and  known  as  the 
Masonic  Temple  was  built  by  him  as  early  as 
1S.50.  The  brick  were  burned  and  shipiied 
from  Milwaukee,  and  cost  S40  per  thousand. 
He  also  built  the  first  freight  house  in  Cham- 
paign and  \vas  the  builder  of  the  court  house 
and  iail  for  Iroquois  county. 

He  had  the  most  abiding  faith  in  the 
f  utiu-e  greatness,  development  and  prosper- 
ity of  the  west.  He. would,  in  his  quiet  w  ay, 
undertake  enterprises  demanding  large 
sums  of  money  and  careful  preparations, 
without  a  dollar  in  his  pocket.  He  trusted 
to  luck  and  the  growing  wants  of  the  future. 
His  judgment  was  not  often  at  fault,  his 
enterprises  were  often  interrupted,  but  tliey 
were  always  completed.  He  was  undismay- 
ed in  the  face  of  difficulties,  that  to  others 
looked  insurmountable.  There  were  plenty 
to  predict  his  failure  in  the  initial  move  of 
his  enterprises,  hut  they  lacked  knowledge 
of  the  man.  Many  men  have  accomplished 
more  than  Uavid  Cantner,  but  few  have 
done  as  much  under  similar  circumstances 
and  surroundings.  Had  his  life  been  cast 
hi  many  places  he  would  have  been  known 
as  a  great  builder  and  would  have  risen  to 
wealth  and  a  liigh  place  among  men. 

Mi'.  Cantner  married  Miss  Jane  Carson,  in 
1842.  She  died  at)()ut  1870.  There  were 
three  sons  by  tiiis  union  viz:  Thomas  J., 
wiio  married  Bertha  Van  Dam.  He  is  a 
merchant  of  llantoul;  Ciiarles  P.,  leading 
grocer  and  provision  dealer  of  Urbana,  and 
.lames  H.,  who  is  with  the  latter. 

Politically  Mr.  Cantner  was  a  rep\iblican. 


I'lUNEKRS  OF  VHAMPAION  COUNTY. 


10 


It  is  said  that  David  Cantnoi-  hnuirlit  tlio  first 
cook  stovi-  in  ('hampaijjii  county.  He  died 
at  Urbaiia,  in  November  1879. 


Gkokge  W.  Burton. 

Tlie  subject  of  this  slvetch  was  born  iu 
Sussex  county,  Dehnvare,  April  IStli,  1825. 
His  parents,  William  and  Anna  (Pool)  Bur- 
ton moved  to  Ohio,  when  George  was  in  his 
eighth  year.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1852 
and  settled  in  Urbana.  At  tliat  time  Urbana 
was  a  small  struggling  village  of  about  one 
hundred  houses.  There  were  no  houses 
where  Champaign  now  stands.  The  Illinois 
Central  road  had  not  been  built,  lie  tirst 
found  employment  with  William  Park  and 
helped  him  to  saw  the  ties  for  the  Central 
railroad.  He  was  for  a  time  engaged  in  the 
bakery  and  grocery  business  on  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Market  streets  in  a  building  now 
known  as  "Spi^nce's  corner."  In  company 
with  James  .Johnson  he  did  the  first  ditch- 
ing in  the  county.  He  invented  and  operat- 
ed the  hrst  open  ditching  machine  in  the 
county.  He  has  done  nnich  to  put  our  farm- 
ing land  in  a  good  tillable  condition.  After 
iu^  quit  the  mercantile  business  he  engaged 
in  ditching  and  farming  and  still  continues 
in  the  latter. 

He  married  Margaret  Oliver,  in  Barnes- 
ville,  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  July  1st,  1846. 
She  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Dela- 
ware, August  12, 1828.  Tliey  are  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Allen,  tile  man- 
ufacturer at  Pliilo;  Mary  married  John 
Itipley,  now  deceased;  Eunice,  married 
John  Cover,  of  Camargo,  111.;  Charles,  of 


the  firm  of  Burton  liros.,  Philo.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Burton  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and 
invariably  votes  his  ticket  straight.  Ho 
lias  held  the  office  of  highway  connuissioner 
for  nine  years  and  has  been  industrious  in 
giving  us  good  roads.  He  is  also  school  tli- 
rector  for  his  district.  Mr.  Burton  belongs 
to  tlu^  iiuhistrious,  energetic  class  of  men, 
and  lie  also  ranks  as  one  of  our  very  best 
citizens. 


William  H.  Owens. 

Among  the  live  businessmen  of  Urbana  is 
W.  H.  Owens.  He  was  born  in  Baltimore 
county,  Maryland,  December  22, 18:i3.  He  is 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Brooks)  Ow- 
ens. His  father  was  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness and  young  Owens  became  a  clerk  while 
young  and  was  educated,  so  to  speak,  be- 
hind the  counter.  He  came  west  in  April, 
1850.  He  believed  that  this  country  present- 
ed more  advantages  to  a  young  man  who 
was  industrious  and  desired  to  get  ahead  in 
the  world.  Soon  after  his  aiTival  here  he 
clerked  for  Eli  Halberstadt  for  two  or  three 
years  and  then  for  Alexander  Spence,  with 
whom  he  reniainefl  for  twelve  years.  He 
subseipiently  purchased  a  farm  of  120  acres 
on  the  Sangamon  and  farmed  for  several 
years,  then  returned  to  Urbana  May  1,  1882,' 
and  purchased  a  stock  of  groceries  and  pro- 
visions of  Mrs.  Hollister  and  has  continued 
in  tiie  trade  to  the  present. 

During  tliis  time  he  has  also  engaged  in 
the  breeding  and  raising  of  Sliort  Horn  cat- 
tle. In  his  herd  may  be  found  some  of  the 
finest  specimens  of  tiiat  l)n>ed  in  tiie  county. 


11 


PIONEERS  UF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Hf  has  also  given  a  f?reat  deal  of  attention 
to  tlie  improvement  in  the  breed  of  horses. 
He  has  one  tine  imported  Norman  and  also 
a  Morgan-Belsjian,  eciiially  as  tine  an  indi- 
vidual as  llieotiier.  He  is  also  interested  in 
the  breeding  of  superior  breeds  of  hogs  and 
sheep. 

Mr.  Owens  married  ;Miss  Sarah  Wolfe, 
who  is  still  living.  Tliey  are  the  i>areiits  of 
the  following  named  children:  Joseph  W., 
Bessie,  lAicy,  Kate  and  Daisy.  Joe  is  ex- 
press agent  and  clerk  in  his  father's  store; 
Bessie  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Illinois.  Mr.  Owens  iniited  with  the  M.  E. 
church  about  1><49.  He  has  been  a  class 
leader  for  over  thirty  years  and  a  member 
of  the  official  board  for  about  the  same  time. 
He  has  always  Ix'en  active  in  clnn-ch  affairs. 
Politically,  he  has  ever  been  a  staunch  re- 
publican, and  has  so  far  steered  clear  of  any 
offices. 

:Mr.  Owens  attends  to  his  groceiy  business 
and  at  the  same  time  looks  after  his  ISIaliom- 
et  farm  and  tine  stock  and  we  sincerely 
trust  that  the  prosperity  his  labors  have 
brought  him  thus  far,  may  be  continued  and 
increased,  as  he  certainly  deserves  that  it 
should  be  so. 


CiiAUT.Ks  Alexander  Hunt,  M.  D. 
Doctor  Hunt  was  a  nativ»>  of  Trenton, 
New  .Jersey,  where  he  was  horn  April  ir)th, 
li^l'.l,  and  where  he  continued  to  resicU^  until 
he  was  thrown  upon  the  wm  Id  by  the  death 
of  his  father,  at  the  tender  age  of  i:!  years. 
He  then,  in  company  with  someof  the  older 
nuMubers  of  his  father's  family,  enugrated 
to  Ohio,  where,  thrnnuh  the  aid  of  friends 


and  a  determination  ami  perseverance  that 
knew  no  such  thing  as  fail,  he  succeeded  in 
obtainiuu;  aline  English  and  classical  educa- 
tion. When  he  became  of  age  he  entered 
the  office  of  Dr.  Gillett,  of  Springfield,  Ohio; 
His  medical  studies  were  completed  at  the 
Ohio  College  of  Medicine,  Cincinnati,  where 
he  graduated  with  high  honors,  ^larch  fith, 
lS4r).  He  did  not  cease  study  ujion  his  grad- 
nation,  for  all  his  life  he  was  a  close  stu- 
dent and  extensive  reader. 

In  f^+T  he  was  married  to  Isabella  Hop- 
kins anil  removed  to  the  Wabash  valley, 
where  he  resided  and  practiced  his  profes- 
sion botii  in  Indiana  and  Illinois  until  he 
and  his  family  removed  to  Urbana  in  is.5."). 
Here  he  entered  into  the  drug  business, 
which,  as  a  member  of  the  firms  of  Hunt; 
Sim  it  Lindley,  and  Hunt  A:  Sim,  lu^  contin- 
ued until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the 
rebellion.  Although  waruUy  attached  to  his 
profession,  and  ardently  loving  the  scien- 
tific pursuits  akin  thereto,  he  in  fact  con- 
tracted a  dislike  for  the  details  of  medical 
practice.  Abandoning  the  profession  for  a 
time,  he  did  not  abandon  his  studies  and  in- 
vestigations connected  with  nu^dicine  and^' 
surgery,  but  was  constantly  engaged,  when 
he  had  leisure  to  do  so,  in  reading  or  writ- 
ing upon  topics  pertaining  thereto.  He 
often  published  in  the  medical  journals  and 
local  papers  his  theses  showing  great  learn- 
ing and  original  research.  He  also  lefi 
among  his  papers  many  manuscripts  writ- 
ten upon  scientific  and  ])olitical  topics.  He 
was  a  corresponding  s(!cretary  of  the  Chi- 
cago Academy  of  Natiual  Sciences. 

The  first  guns  tired  upon  Fort  Sumter,  in 
ISGI,  stirred  within  him  a  patriotic  fervor 
which  determined  his  future.  As  soon  as 
his  business  could  be  closT-d  and  an  opixu- 
tunity  for  his  services  offered  he  entered 
the  military  servfce  of  the  government  as 
surgeon  of  the  VMh  regiment  of  Illinois 
V(dunteers.  Here,  by  his  faithfulness  to 
the  sick  under  his  charge,  and  his  knowl- 
edge of  the  healing  art,  he  warndy  attached 
to  himself  the  olficers  and  soldiers  of  the 
regiment.  Always  conscientious  in  the  dis- 
charge of  duty  he  neither  knew  nor  wanted 
to  know  any  other  way  than  to  faithfully 
stand  at  his  post  of  duty  here,  let  it  lead  whOre 
it  uuglit.  The  eventful  siege  of  Vicksbm-g 
drew  his  regiment  and  with  it  the  surgeon 
to  the  post  of  danger.  His  hospital  was  lo- 
cated at  Haiiu's'  Bluff,  on  the  Ya/.oo,  that 
l)oint  so  renowned  for  its  miasma  and  bad 
water,  where  he  spent  several  months  in  con- 
stant personal  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded, 
(luring  the  suninier  of  IS'W.  This  contin- 
ued until  worn  out  by  disease,  hardships 
and  in<*essant  professional  labors,  he  started 


PIUNEKliS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


12 


for  liis  home  and  family,  where  he  might  re- 
cuperate liis  depleted  system,  or  if  need  be, 
die  amcmgfriemls;  hut  the  iiope  of   again 
meeting  the  little  ones  at  home  and  his  faith- 
ful, loyal  wife,  was  never  realized.    Those 
in  cliarge  of  tiie  hospital  boat  which  brought 
him  north  were  compelled  to  leave  him  at 
the  general  hospital  at  Mound  City  on  the 
29th  of  J  uly,  in  charge  of  Doctor  Wardner, 
where  he  expired  Sunday,  August  '2nd,  1SG3, 
only  a  few  hours  after   the  arrival  of    his 
wife,  who,  upon  hearing  of  his  illness,  had 
hurried  to  his  side.    His  neighbors  at  home 
were  shocked   by  an    unexpected  dispatch 
from  Mrs.   Hunt  announcing  his  death  and 
the  hour  of  her  arrival  with  the  remains. 
Sadly  they  met  her  at  tlie  northern  bound 
train  and  bore  the  body  of  their  esteenunl 
friend  to  the  home  \w,  so  uuich  loved  and  so 
much  desired  and  exi)ected  to  again  visit. 
His  letters  to  his  wife  and  friends,  while  in 
tlie  service,  breathed  the  most  ardent  attach- 
ment to  home,  family  and  friends,  and  often 
counted  on  the  time  when,  duty  fully  done, 
he  would  turn  his  face  homeward  and  again 
reunite  family  ties  and  engage  in  the  priv- 
ileges and  duties  of  citizenship.    But,  alas, 
this  was  not  to  be  and  he  peacefully  yielded 
uj)  his  life  as  did  so  many  otiiers,  that  his 
countrv  might  be  saved.    Sorrowfully  were 
his    remains    laid   to  rest   by  admiring  and 
afflicted  friends  amid  the  surroundings  so 
nuich  loved  by  him  in  life. 

His  wife,  Mrs.  Isabella  Hunt,  after  a  wid- 
owhood of  twenty-three  years,  still  survives 
him.  His  sons,  J.  E.  Hunt,  a  popular  drug- 
gist of  this  city,  Isaac  Lindly  and  Cory  A. 
have  since  then  grown  to  manhood  and  to 
lives  of  usefulness,  but  his  only  daughter, 
Sarah  V.,  followed  her  father  to  the  grave, 
in  180.5. 

Dr.  Hunt  was  eminent  in  every  sense.  In 
the  social  circle,  by  his  wit,  his  wisdom  and 
his  guileless  attachment  to  his  fiiends  and 
associates,  lie  warmed  all  hearts  towards 
him.  In  the  language  of  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  medical  statf,  who  was  thrown 
much  in  his  society.  "He  had  no  enemies 
and  he  deserved  none."  He  was  a  leader 
in  society  so  far  as  taking  the  front  in  every 
movement  for  its  elevation.  In  him  the 
infant  schools  of  the  country  had  a  faithful 
and  very  useful  friend.  He  was  an  early 
friend  of  the  slave  and  entered  warmly  into 
the  movement  for  the  formation  of  a  party 
unfriendly  to  the  extension  of  slavery.  Up- 
on political  topics  he  wi'ote  and  published 
nuich,  always  in  the  most  logical  and  con- 
vincing style.  As  a  neighbor  ai\d  a  friend 
he  was  warm-hearted,  obliging  and  sincere. 

We  caTi   do   no  better    than  to  close  witli  a 
<)UOtation  from  an  obituary  notice  publislied 


in  a  local  paper  of  that  day:  "He  was  deep- 
ly learne<l  in  his  profession,  an  elaborate 
and  profound  thinker  and  writer.  In  all 
those  (jualities  which  go  to  make  ui)the  good 
and  honored  citizen,  his  life  and  character 
were  rich,  and  in  those  (lualities  of  heart 
and  mind  which  endeared  him  strongly  to 
his  neighbors  and  friends,  he  abninided  su- 
perlatively." 


JXTDOK  J.  O.    CUN.VIXGHAM. 

This  old  settler,  lawyer,  journalist  and 
jurist,  of  Urbana,  was  born  in  Lancaster, 
Erie  county,  iN.  Y.,  December  13,  1.S80.  He 
was  the  eldest  child  of  Hiram  W.  and  Eu- 
nice (Brown)  Cunningham.  Miss  Brown 
was  of  the  Brown  family,  of  Vermont;  her 
gr.mdfather  carried  on  the  lirst  carding  and 
fulling  mill  in  the  then  colony  of  Vermcmt, 
before  the  revolutionary  war.  Hiram  W. 
was  descended  from  the  CJnnninghams  of 
Connecticut,  who  settled  there  in  the  latter 
half  of  the  seventeenth  century.  Hiram  W. 
removed  with  his  parents  in  1811  to  what 
was  known  as  the  "Holland  Purchase,"  Erie 
Co.,  N.  Y.  In  1833  he  removed  from  tiiere  to 
Huron  county,  Ohio,  where  he  died   in  1800. 

.1.  ().  Cunningham  began  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  Ohio,  and  continued 
it  in  the  Baldwin  Institute  at  Berea,  Ohio; 
later  he  attended  the  fanumsOberlincoIU^ge. 
In  1852,  he  pushed  further  west  and  taught 
school  at  Eugene,  Vermilion  county,  Indi- 
ana. There  he  began  tlie  study  of  law,  a 
profession  in  which  he  was  destined  to  be 
successful.  He  came  to  Urbana,  June  18th, 
18."):^,  returned  to  Ohio  and  was  married  at 
Bainbridge,    Ohio,    October    13th,    185:^,    to 


13 


riONKKFlS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Mary  McCoiioiighey,  who  still  lives  and  pre- 
sides, witii  true  womanly  grace  and  ability, 
over  as  pleasant  a  home  as  may  be  found  in 
this  county.  It  is  locatetl  just  outside  the 
city  limits,  northeast  of  town,  where  the 
judiie  and  his  much  valued  partner  are  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  iu  vuries  to  be  enjoyed  in 
this  community.  He  is  a  vigorous  and 
versatile  writer  and  soon  after  he  came  here 
he  iniroliased  the  Urbana  Union  of  Col.  W.  N. 
Coler,  and  for  a  time  published  it  with  a  man 
named  Benjamin  A.  Koney:  later,  in  part- 
nership with  G.  N.  Richards,  and  aft^'rwards 
witii  G.W.  Flynn,  each  of  his  partners  boinic 
practical  printers.  In  the  campaign  of  is.5fi, 
the  Union  was  radically  for  Fremont  and  the 
rei)ublican  ticket.  Mr.  Cunningham  retired 
from  the  Union  in  18.58.  He  then  attended 
tlie  Union  law  college  at  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
graduating  in  1859,  and  on  the  first  of  May 
of  tliat  year  formed  a  partnership  with  J. 
W.  Sim,  which  lasted  about  five  years.  He 
did  some  editorial  work  for  Rev.  Wm.  ]Mun- 
hall,  when  he  was  publishing  tlie  "Patriot," 
but  was  also,  at  the  same  time  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  the  law.  When  Flynn  and 
Richards  bought  the  Union  and  Gazette,  in 
1864,  Mr.  Cunningham  assumed  editorial 
control  until  in  1866,  when  he  retired  from 
active  journalism,  and  has  since  assiduously 
applied  himself  to  the  profession  of  law,  in 
which   he   has  been   eminently  successful. 

In  1861  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  county 
court  and  held  the  office  for  four  years.  In 
this  position  he  saw  the  necessity  for  some 
well  considered  work  on  probate  law  and 
a  few  years  since  he  aided  in  editing  and 
publishing  the  well  known  work  entitled 
"Practice  in  the  County  Court"  by  Jones  and 
Cunningiiam.  From  1867  to  1873  he  was  a 
njember  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
State  University,  in  the  location  of  which, 
in  this  city,  he  had  taken  an  active  part. 
From  is6y  to  1876,  he  was  in  paitnership 
with  Hon.  William  B.  Webber,  since  which 
time  he  has  practiced  alone. 

Judge  Cunningimm  antl  wife  iiave  for 
many  years  been  members  of  the  M.  E, 
church. 

Tiic  judge  was  formerly  a  radical  republi- 
can, and  during  the  slavery  agitation  and 
war  times  was  active  as  such.  In  later 
years  he  had  been  an  independent  in  poli- 
tics. Twice  he  has  led  tlie  opposition  in 
this  county  as  candidate  for  state  senator, 
polling  more  than  the  full  strenirth  of  the 
two  opposition  parties,  running  ahead  of 
his  ticket.  These  honors  have  come  to  him 
unsought,  however,  as  lie  does  not  seek  or 
desire  jiubiic  office  l)ut  is  content  to  conduct 
his  extensive  legal  busiiu^ss  which  alfords 
him  a  handsome  income,  and  is  nnich  more 


congenial  to  his  tastes  than  engaging  in  po- 
litical struggles. 

Judge  Cunningham  is  a  man  who 
possesses  a  will  of  his  own  and  has 
strong  conviction-)  in  all  the  great  moral 
as  well  as  political  questions  of  his  time. 
Inde])endent  in  thougiit  and  action  he  does 
not  subscribe  to  all  of  the  doctrines  of  any 
political  party.  He  neitiier  seeks  to  lead 
nor  can  he  be  coaxed  or  driven  in  any  pre- 
scribed path.  His  code  of  morals,  laid  down 
to  govern  himself,  are  of  tlu;  strictest  kind, 
yet  he  is  ciiaritable  towards  others.  A  good 
hater  so  long  as  cause  exists  therefor,  and  a 
warm  friend  of  those  who  come  up  to  liis 
standard  of  friendship.  He  is  courtecms  to 
his  professional  brethren  but  unsi)aring  in 
his  denunciation  when  once  aroused.  His 
friendships  are  lasting  and  his  enmity  when 
once  incurred  is  apt  to  be  lf)nir  lived.  A 
constant  reader,  his  literary  attainments  are 
ot  a  high  order  and  he  holds  a  high  position 
at  the  bar  as  well  as  in  the  confidence  of  the 
people.         


MiNiAN  A.  Riley. 
This  enteri)rising  merchant  and  old  settler 
was  born  in  Edgar  county,  ill.,  January  ;i9. 
1844,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Elder  G.  W. 
and  Bethire  (McChtiu)  Riley.  He  received 
a  good  Englisii  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  tlie  county  while  residing  with 
his  father  and  in  tlie  winter  of  1860  and  '61 
attended  tiie  Ciiicago  University  for  the 
l)urpose  of  ad<ling  still  more  to  his  scholastic 
knowledge.  Wiiileatthis  University  Fort 
Sumpter  was  fired  upon.     lie   immediat^'Jy 


PIONEERS  OF  ClIAMrAKiN  COUNTY. 


14 


left  liis  books  and  less  patriotic  comrades  at 
college,  and  came  home  to  enter  the  service 
ot  hiscountry.  lie  had  received  instructions 
in  Chicago  from  one  of  Col.  Ellsworth's  men 
in  the  Zouave  drill;  he  at  once  organized  a 
company  of  Zouave?  numbering  about  forty, 
and  drilled  them  luitil  the  early  i)art  of  ISfW. 
This  company  gained  a  wide  reputation  for 
their  perfect  movements  and  thorough 
knowledge  of  military  tactics.  His  work 
was  so  well  done  that  nearly  every  man  of 
that  famous  company  entered  the  service 
and  became  an  officer  in  the  army. 

In  1862  he  joined  company  B,  76th  regi- 
ment, 111.  volunteer  infantry.  He  was  soon 
made  an  orderly,  was  afterwards  promoteil 
to  First  Lieutenant  of  Jiis  company.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  great  siege  of  Vicksburg  and 
promptly  answered  every  call  of  duty.  He 
served  faithfully  for  two  years  in  the  army 
when  he  resigned  and  came  home.  On  his 
return  from  the  array  he  was  appointed  dep- 
uty internal  revenue  assessor,  and  served  at 
a  time  when  the  law  was  new  and  the  duties 
of  the  office  was  complicated  and  not  easily 
understood ;  he  acquitted  himself  with  credit 
as  such  officer  until  Andrew  Johnson  be- 
came president,  and  relieveil  him  and  his 
superior  officer  of  further  responsibility  in 
that  direction.  He  then  entered  the  dry 
goods  store  of  M.  Lowenstern,  in  this  city? 
remaining  with  him  for  about  four  years  and 
was  an  eflicient  and  valuable  salesman. 

In  1870  he  formed  a  partnership  in  the  dry 
goods  business  with  John  Gere;  the  firm  of 
Gere  &  Kiley  suffered  great  loss  by  tlie  fire 
of  1871,  but  it  paid  every  dollar  in  full  and 
was  dissolved  in  the  fall  of  1874  each  resum- 
ing business  separately.  Later  lie  formed  a 
partnership  with  his  younger  brother  Ozias, 
in  the  dry  goods  business  which  continued 
about  two  years,  since  which  time,  Mr.  Ki- 
ley has  been  in  business  alone. 

He  was  Tuarried  August  2+,  1862,  to  Miss 
Emma  1).  Porter,  of  this  city,  who  is  still 
living.  The  children  born  to  them  are: 
Maggie  II.,  Frank  A.,  Clarence  N.,  Fred  A., 
and  Anna  H.  Riley.  Fraidc  A.  died  in  1879^ 
Those  living  are  all  residing  at  home. 

Mr.  Riley  united  with  Urbana  Baptist 
church  in  18.')2,  and  is  now  a  member  of  th.e 
board  of  deacons  and  a  leading  and  active 
member  of  the  chiu'ch.  He  has  been  leader 
of  the  choir  for  more  tiian  twenty  years, 
during  which  time  perfect  harmony  and  good 
feeling  has  been  maintained  by  his  skillful 
management. 

He  is  always  drawn  uinm  to  aid  in  public 
concerts  given  for  various  charitable  pur- 
poses, and  always  honors  the  draft;  he  was 
one  of  the  (juartet  that  made  the  "Cham- 
paign County  (ilfc  Club'"  famous. 


In  politics  he  has  always  been,  and  is  now, 
a  republican.  He  presides  over  the  "Good 
Luck"  dry  goods  store  and  by  his  close  buy- 
ing and  go(xl  taste  in  selecting  and  display- 
ing his  goods,  as  well  as  by  his  courteous 
manner,  affable  disposition  and  fair  treat- 
ment to  customers,  he  has  succeeded  ad- 
mirably in  bu^siness.  His  business  increases 
every  year  and  is  destined  to  continue  to 
grow  in  ))roi)ortion  with  the  growth  ami  de- 
velopnuMit  of  the  city  and  surrounding  coun- 
try. 


Elisha  Stevenson,  Sen. 
Among  the  old  settlers  of  Champaign 
county  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  is  a 
native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Columbiana  county. 
May  2?j,  1817.  In  early  life  he  learned  the 
hatter's  trade  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.  In  follow- 
ing his  trade  he  drifted  about  to  different 
[tlaces,  but  was  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
time  a  resident  of  Ohio.  In  18.54  he  came 
west  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Urbana, 
and  here  engaged  in  farming.  His  health 
failing  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  hard 
labor  and  for  a  luimber  of  years  has  lived  a 
quiet,  retired  life.  While  a  resident  of 
Hillsiwro,  Ohio,  he  married  Miss  Nancy  Ann 
KeciAr.  The  date  of  the  ceremony  was 
J  une  24,  1849.  They  are  the  parents  of  elev- 
en children,  six  sons  and  live  daughters. 
Their  names  are  as  follows:  Lewis  E.,  a 
prominent  druggist  and  postmaster  of  St. 
Joseph;  he  married  Miss  Ada  O.  Coffman. 
Cinderella,  widow  of  C.  A.  Lawhead. 
Elisha,     jr.,    a    conductor  on    the    1.,    B. 


15 


PIONRERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTT. 


ik  W. :  lit^  inanied  Miss  Nora  E.  Truiii- 
biil,  of  IVkiii.  111.  Sara  J.,  wjio  is  at  lioino: 
Susan,  wife  of  E.  J.  Stephens,  wlio  is  a  con- 
ductor on  the  Missouri  Pacific  K.  11.,  anil  re- 
sides at  St.  lionis;  Josephine  is  the  wife  of 
Ed.  T.  Swan,  a  farmer  living  in  l'rl)ana 
township;  Charles  II.,  basgage  master  on 
the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  R.  11., 
with  headquarters  at  Las  Vegas,  N.  M. ; 
William  F..  druggist  at  St.  Joseph;  he  mar- 
ried Mi.ss  Emma  C.  Coftman;  Benjamin  F., 
who  is  a  resident  of  St.  Josei)h;  he  married 
Lucia  Ketterman ;  Mary  Elizabeth  and  Uriah 
are  yet  at  home.  Politically  Mr.  Steven- 
sou  votes  the  democratic  ticket.  The  sons 
have  iiarkened  to  the  i)olitical  teachings  of 
their  father  and  have  followed  in  his  foot- 
steps and  vote  the  same  ticket  with  great 
inianimity.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevenson  have 
raised  a  large  and  most  excellent  family.  All 
are  industrious,  with  steady  habits,  and  are 
recognized  as  first  class  citizens. 


Lewis  A.  McliEAN 
Was  born  in  (Jrafton,  Illinois,  May  .5,  1843. 
lie  removed  to  Urbana  with  his  mother, 
Mrs.  Mary  P.  Vanderveer,  and  step-fatlier, 
Cornelius  M.  \'anderveer,  from  V'erinilion 
county,  Illinois,  Ai)ril  1.5,  is.^  Mis  iather 
was  Dr.  John  McLean,  a  physician,  and  died 
in  is4-t,  at  Carlyle,  III.  His  mother,  now 
Mrs.  Mary  U.  \V<'bl)er,  resides  in  this  city 
and  is  well  known  by  the  old  settlers  of  the 
comity. 

HeatteiKied   the  public  school  until   eigh- 
teen years  of  age,   two   years  of  whiili,  in 


li>o~  and  1858,  was  at  the  fourth  district  high 
school  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  La.  In 
December,  W>:i,  lie  entered  the  otiice  of  the 
circuit  clerk  and  recorder  of  this  county  as 
deputy  of  AV.  II.  Soiners,  then  serving  his 
second  term,  and  remained  in  tliat  position 
for  seven  years ;  he  was  then  for  a  time  dep- 
uty United  States  assessor.  From  187-2  to 
18T9  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits. 
In  the  fall  of  1879  he  accepted  the  position 
of  book  keeper  and  assistant  editor  of  the 
Champaign  Gazette,  which  he  Idled  until 
October  9,  1882,  when  he  took  a  position  as 
associate  editor  of  the  CiiA.MPAUix  Coixty 
Heram),  with  M.  W.  Mathews,  its  proprie- 
tor, which  i)osition  lie  still  holds.  The  suc- 
cess of  the  paper  has  been  phenomenal  in 
the  newspaper  history  of  the  county  and  it 
is  only  just  to  say,  tliat  as  its  business  man- 
ager and  local  editor,  he  is  entitled  to  the 
creilit  for  its  unusual  growth  and  rapidly 
increasing  circulation. 

He  was  married  May  13,  1864,  to  JSIiss 
Jennie  £.  Kussell,  daugliter  of  Dr.  E.  L. 
Kussell,  now  of  DesMoines,  Iowa.  She  is 
still  living  and  is  an  active  worU'er  in  the 
Baptistchurch.  Their  children  are:  Nellie, 
who  is  in  her  junior  year  at  the  University 
of  Illinois;  Albert  H.,  and  Clair  F.,  who  are 
both  at  home  and  attending  school.  Mr. 
McLean  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
December  1S('):>,  and  has  been  coiniected  with 
the  Sabbath  .scliool  as  superintendent  or  as- 
sistant superintendent  for  over  twenty  years. 
He  has  served  two  years  as  secretary  of  the 
county  Sunday  school  association  and  takes 
an  active  part  in  the  work. 

He  is  also  secretary  of  the  Old  Settlers" 
Association  of  this  county  and  is  vigilant 
and  active  in  rescuing  from  oblivion  every 
fact  and  incident  with  reference  to  the  old 
settlers  of  the  county. 

In  politics  he  is  a  rei)Ublican  and  has  act- 
ed and  voted  with  that  iiarty  ever  since  old 
enough  to  vote,  casting  his  lirst  vote  for 
Abraiiam  Lincoln  in  18(W. 


TJOSEERS  CjF  CHAMPAlGl^  COVI^TT. 


15 


^PfP^ 


John  TiKmxnruN' 
Was  born  in  Tliiikleby,  Yorkshire,  England, 
January  30,  IsriO.  His  father  was  John 
Thornburn  and  hismotlier  Elizabeth  Dunnel. 
They  came  to  this  country  in  1851,  taking 
jtassage  on  the  sailing  sliip  Flora  McDonald, 
■on  the  Kith  of  April  and  arriving  at  Balti- 
more,  May  31,  thus  being  six  weeks  on  the 
ocean.  They  traveled  on  to  Barnesville, 
Belmont  county,  Ohio,  both  of  them  dying 
there.  In  18.>4,  John  Tlioriibum,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  came  to  this  county  and 
stopped  at  Burr  Oak  ferove.  The  next  year 
he  came  to  the  Brumley  place,  three  miles 
■east  of  Urbana.  Four  years  later  he  remov- 
ed to  this  city  and  lived  for  many  years  on 
the  southwest  corner  of  the  lot  upon  which 
is  now  the  residence  of  T.  S.  Hubbard. 
John  was  married  March  10,  1851,  in  York- 
shire, England,  to  Miss  Anna  Burnett,  who 
has  been  and  is  yet  his  faithful  companion 
in  his  reverses  as  well  as  his  successes.  Au- 
gust oth,  18ry2,  he  entered  the  army  in  Com- 
pany G,  76th  111.  Vol.,  and  served  faithfully 
for  three  years.  He  was  at  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg.  Big  Shantee,  llesaca,  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, siege  of  Atlanta,  and  other  battles  in 
which  his  regiment  was  engaged.  He  was  dis- 
charged August  5th,  isr»5,  having  served  ex- 
actly three  years  to  a  day.  His  son,  Thomas 
B.,  who  resides  in  Somer  township,  is  his 
only  surviving  child,  liis  <h\ughter  Elizabeth 
having  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Thornburn 
voted  for  Lincoln  in  18(50,  and  would  have 
done  so  in  l^^^^U,  but  for  the  fact  that  the  cop- 
perhead legislature  of  Illinois  did  not  allow 
her  soldiers  to  vote.  He  is  outspoken  and 
3 


radical  in  liis  political  views  and  has  fougiit 
the  battles  of  his  party  with  ccturage  and 
fidelity  ever  since  it  was  organ  ize<l.  He  has 
been  a  comnussioner  of  liigli\VR.>s  for  Vi 
^ears.aRd  treasurer  of  the  board  since  l^iTH. 
exceitt  oHe  year.  He  has  helped  to  laj*  out 
about  alUlie  roads,  and  built  about  all  the 
bridges  In  the  township.  He  lias  been  col- 
lector of  the  township  for  the  past  four  years. 
When  Mr.  Thornburn  landed,  with  bis  good 
wife,  at  AUeghaney  City  he  had  to  stop  and 
\\'ork  tor  seveuty-five  cents  per  day  to  get 
ntoney  enough  to  continue  his  journey  to 
Barnesville,  which  place  he  linally  reached 
with  the  sunt  of  five  cents  as  his  cap  tal.  He 
has  HOW  a  tine  farm  of  2.50  acres  and  knows 
how  to  enjoy  life  by  living  at  home  and 
boarding  at  the  same  place.  Jte  has  no 
mortgages  or  debts  to  an«oy  him  and  he  is 
about  as  li!ai)py  and  prosperous  s.s  any  man 
could  wish  to  be. 


tr-r^. 


John  L.  McCaix. 
Biography,  says  Horace  Mann,  especially 
of  the  great  and  good,  who  have  from  the 
depth  of  obscurity  risen  to  eminence  aiid 
usef  uhiess  is  an  ennobling  study.  Its  direct 
tendency  is  to  reproduce  the  excellence  it 
records.  It  is  but  lately  that  we,  as  Anieri- 
cans,  have  paid  any  attention  to  it.  In  this 
matter  of  fact-age  and  utilitarian  country  we 
stop  to  ask,  "Does  it  pay?"  forgetting  that 
the  profit  may  be  hidden  in  obsciuity.  But 
we  are  advancing  to  a  higher  plane  of  in- 
tellectuality and  with  it  comes  the  increased 
desire   for  biographj-.     The  deeds  of  the 


17 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPATGN  COUNTY. 


good  nmu.  however  humble  iii;iy  have  hecn 
his  sphere,  can  best  be  told  in  the  lines  of  his 
life.    Of  such  was  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

Of  John  L.  McCain  it  may  be  trutlifuUy 
saitl,-tliat  the  world  was  better  that  lie  lived." 
He  Wivs  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  May, 
1S04,  and  wivs  of  Scotch  Irish  parentage,  lie 
]>ad  many  of  the  characteristics  of  that  race, 
large  and  brawny,  with  thews  and  sinews 
strong  and  hard  as  steel,  erect,  and  strong, 
with  an  eye  tliat  lowered  not  its  gaze  to  friend 
or  fo3,  he  stood  before  you  a  type  of  physical 
men  that  only  the  Highlands  of  Scotland 
produce,  and  yet  this  strong  man  in  tlie  uiidst 
of  his  firends  was  as  weak  as  an  infant.  No 
blood  ever  welled  up  from  a  truer,  more 
honest,  or  nobler  heart.  A  friend  could  lead 
Iiim,  but  no  foe  could  drive  liim.  Innately 
honest,  he  looked  for  honesty  in  every  other. 

His  father,  .James  McCain,  was  a  native  of 
the  north  of  Ireland,  and  was  a  man  of 
superior  education.  He  emigrated  to 
America  while  yet  a  young  n)an;  while  on 
board  the  ship  that  he  took  passage  in,  he 
made  the  acquaintance  of  a  Miss  Montgom- 
ery, a  Scottish  lady,  which  ripened  into 
love  and  finally  culminated  in  marriage. 
Miss  Montgomery  was  a  near  relative  of 
Gen.  Montgomery  of^  revolutionary  fame. 
Mr.  McCain,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  drift- 
ed with  the  tide  westward,  and  settled  in 
Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  where  he  married 
Miss  Eli/.abetli  Uake.  The  marriage  was 
solemnized  in  1H4(>  in  Dayton,  Ohio.  She  was 
a  native  of  the  above  county,  born  in  18^4. 
There  were  four  children  born  of  that  union 
tiiat  still  survi  ,-e.  Their  names  are  Emma, 
who  is  the  widow  of  Charles  Maxfield; 
Lillie,  single,  both"  residents  of  Urbana; 
Sadie,  wife  of  J.  E.  Fairhead,  a  railroad 
engineer,  and  Maude,  wife  of  Charles 
Ilolden.  Theyr.reside  in  Mt.  Sterling,  Ken- 
tucky. 

Mr.  McCain  was  a  moulder  by  trade,  and 
followed  it  after  he  came  to  Urbana,  owing 
to  it  injuring  Ills  sight  he  was  compelled  to 
abandon  it.  When  the  gold  fever  broke  out 
in  Calif(trnia  in  1S49  he  went  there  and  re- 
mained one  year,  then  returned,  and  travel- 
ed over  a  innnber  of  states  working  at  his 
trade.  In  the  spring  of  18.56  he  came  to 
Urbana  and  here  as  before  staled  worked  at 
his  tra(h'  mitil  his  eyesight  failed,  and  then 
up  to  within  a  short  time  before  his  death 
he  labored  with  a  team,  draying  and  hauling. 

He  was  originally  an  old  time  whig  and 
upon  the  abantlonnient  of  that  political  or- 
ganization he  joined  the  republican  party 
and  voted  with  it  until  his  death.  He  was 
postmaster  at  Yellow  Springs,  Mo,  and 
serve<l  as  tax  collector  of  Urbana  township 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people. 


He  united  with  the  M.  E.  church  in  18.3G, 
and  was  an  energetic  and  untiring  worker 
in  that  christian  organization.  Soon  after 
he  became  a  christian  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  and  continued  to  do  so  at  intervals 
until  his  death.  He  was  a  live  worker  in 
the  Sunday  school,  and  was  a  class  leader 
almost  from  tlie  time  he  united  with  the 
church.  He  vvjis  what  might  i)c  called  a 
simple  christian,  absolutely  without  guile, 
snot,  or  blemish.  He  was  also  an  interest- 
ing worker  in  the  cause  of  temperance,  and 
did  much  to  further  its  interest  in  Urbana. 
It  was  however  in  his  simple  religious  fervor 
where  the  man  siione  forth  as  a  light  in  the 
pathway  of  liis  followers. 

Father  McCain's  mind,  tiiough  un!)lest 
witli  early  advantages,  was  emiched  by 
mucii  reading,  especially  upon  subjects  per- 
taining to  religion.  In  fact  upon  topics  re- 
lated thereto  he  was  a  profound  scholar. 
Unlike  many  who  acquire  learning  of  this 
kind,  his  views  were  not  dwarfed  and 
narrowed,  but  broadened  and  expandeil 
almost  beyond  the  limits  of  iiis  orthodox 
belief.  His  charity  was  of  the  widest  range, 
and  his  faith  in  the  saving  power  of  Chris- 
tianity had  no  bounds.  He  never  talked  of 
lost , souls  and  the  regions  of  the  damned, 
but  always  of  salvation  through  Ciirist  as  a 
success.  To  him  the  heavenly  roaxl  was  a 
broatl  one  thronged  with  every  willing  one 
who  rejected  not  the  great  gift.  He  was  a 
metaphysician  and  could  not  reconcile  the 
claim  of  some  that  an  all-powerful  God  is 
finally  to  meet  with  overthrow  in  His  efforts 
to  save  His  children.  He  loved  to  listen  to 
the  gospel  as  he  understootl  it  and  could  not 
brook  a  minister  of  Christ  who  put  forth 
doubts  of  the  divine  success. 

He  loved  in  the  class  meeting  to  hear  of 
high  hopes  and  expectations,  and  had  no 
patience  with  doubters,  who,  willing  for 
salvation  feared  it  might  be  a  dream  of  fic- 
tion. Such  he  always  rebuked  as  putting 
limits  upon  God's  power. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


18 


IlANDOLl'lI   C.    WHKiHT. 

Randolph  C.  Wright,  of  Homer,  the  genial 
and  etticient  state's  attorney  of  Champaign 
foinity.  Avas  horn  in  Winchester,  Randolph 
county,  Ind.,  November  3rd,  IJS'iU.  His  fath- 
er, Jesse  B.  Wrigiit,  was  brother  to  James 
8.  Wright,  of  Champaign,  and  his  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Draper.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  Illinois,  in  1830,  at  whicii 
time  the  future  legislator  and  prosecutor, 
was  less  than  a  year  old,  and  settled  north- 
east of  Homer,  in  the  edge  of  Vermilion 
county.  In  lH3i),  he  came  over  the  line  into 
Champaign  county,  to  make  his  home  with 
liis  uncle,  David  C.  Wright,  and  since  that 
date  his  hon»e  lias  been  in  this  county.  As 
may  be  presumed,  the  opi)ortunities  for  ed- 
ucation were  not  of  the  best,  but  he  attended 
school  in  the  winter  months  and  diligently 
improved  all  the  ix)or  advantages  offered. 
Feeling  the  need  of  a  better  etlucation  than 
could  be  obtained  in  this  new  country,  in 
1847,  he  i)iT)ceeded  to  Winchester,  his  birth 
1  dace,  for  tlie  purpose  of  attending  school, 
making  his  home  with  Mr.  William  Way. 
In  1849,  he  returned  to  Champaign  county 
and  engaged  iii  teaching.  In  18.51,  he  at- 
tended the  Georgetown  Seminary  and  com- 
l)leted  his  education.  On  the  10th  of  April, 
18.5;^,  Mr.  Wrigiit  was  married  to  Miss  Jane 
L.  Moore,  a  native  of  New  York,  and  who 
ever  since  has  divided  all  his  sorrows  and 
heightened  all  his  joys.  Six  children  have 
been  the  fruit  of  tliis  union,  viz  :  Mary  A. 
Chades  Bruce,  Maud  Alberta,  Edwin  Ran- 
<lolhp,  Anna  Belle,  and  Jesse  C.  In  18.'>4, 
]Mr.  Wright  joined  the  Methodist  church, 
iind  has  since  been  a  consistent  member. 


All  of  his  family,  with  the  exception  of  tlie 
youngest,  Jesse,  belong  to  the  same  denom- 
ination. Mr.  Wright's  lirst  vote  for  presi- 
dent was  cast  for  General  Winlield  Scott, 
his  second  for  John  C.  Fremont.  He  has 
never  wavered  in  his  devotion  to  the  iirinci- 
ples  of  the  republican  party  since  its  organ- 
ization. Mr.  Wright  has  always  held  a 
strong  place  in  the  regard  of  his  fellow-citi- 
zens, who  elected  him  sheriff  in  1800.  In 
1870,  lie  was  chosen  to  represent  his  district 
in  the  legislature.  In  18G3,  Mr.  Wright 
was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  has  ever  since 
had  a  lucrative  practice,  principally  in  this 
and  Vermilion  counties.  He  is  an  effective 
and  eloquent  orator,  and  hence  exercises 
great  influence  in  jury  trials,  where  he 
brings  out  the  strong  points  of  his  case  with 
great  ability.  He  has  used  his  splendid  ora- 
torical powers  a  great  deal  in  the  temper- 
ance cause.  His  voice  is  heard,  too,  in  each 
campaign  with  telling  effect,  laying  before 
his  constituents  the  claims  of  tlie  republican 
party,  of  which  he  is  a  faithful  member. 
He  is  now  serving  the  people  as  state's  at- 
torney and  his  vigorous  prosecutions  of 
criminals  makes  this  county  a  very  undesira- 
ble field  of  operations  for  them.  He 
will,  doubtless,  be  continued  for  anotlier 
term  in  this  important  office,  and  higher 
honors  at  the  hands  of  his  constituents,  we 
predict,  awaits  him. 


^^«> 


David  Silver 
Was  born  in  Salem  county.  New  Jers(>y. 
February  15,  1708.  He  was  the  son  of  Joseph 
and  Patience  Silver,  who  came  to  Ohio  in 
1801,   and   settled    in  Warren   county.    He 


1-9 


PTOATEBST  OF  CUAMPATGV  CO'JNTY. 


was  iiiairit'd  in  Montiromery  county,  Ohio, 
June  :i<".,  lN-i:v  to  Rli/.a,  the  youngest  daugh- 
ter of  Jonatlianaiul  Elizabeth  Munger,  who 
were  Vermont  Yankees.  She  died  Novein- 
l)er  '29,  18<«.  David  Silver  came  to  this 
t-ounty  in  Juiie  1854,  his  f a)nily  following  in 
Noveinber  of  same  year.  Their  children 
are  as  folhvws:  William  M.,  John  L..  Wal- 
lace, Myra  ami  Perry,  all  living  except 
IVrry  who  died  December  14,  18S5. 
David  was  brought  up  in  tlie  Friends' 
society  aiul  adhereii  closely  to  their 
views,  though  he  abamloued  their  plaiii  lan- 
guage. He  w»s  a  whig  and  later  a  republi- 
can and  was  always  strongly  f)pp»*;ed  to 
slavery  and  to  the  party  that  upheld  it.  lie 
engaged  for  some  years  in  the  dairy  business, 
in  Ohio,  marketing  his  butter  in  Cincinnati, 
making  weekly  trips  a  distance  of  40  miles 
in  a  wagon.  Most  of  his  life,  however,  was 
si)ent  on  a  farm.  His  early  life  was  spei\t 
in  clearing  the  heavy  timber  on  his  father's 
farm  'n\  (Jhio,  as  where  he  had  settled  it  was 
one  unbroken  forest  and  made  much  hard 
work  necessary.  His  educatimutl  advanta- 
ges were  somewhat  limited,  but  he  obtained 
a  fair  education  through  the  teaching  of  an 
older  brother  who  had  been  educated  in 
New  Jersey.  A  small  log  house  was  built 
near  the  dwelling  W'here  he  taught  David 
and  a  few  of  the  neighbors'  children.  He 
at  tirst  studied  law  but  became  disgusted 
with  it  and  abandoned  the  idea  of  becoming 
11  lawyer  awl  went  back  to  the  farm.  He 
was  ,^(;  years  old  when  he  took  a  trip  to 
Illinois;  he  was  so  impressed  with  the  beau- 
ties of  the  vast  prairies  that  he  decided  to 
locate  here  and  o))en  a  new  farm;  he  did 
most  of  the  iMcuking  on  his  farm  and  dug 
his  own  wells.  His  health  failed  somewhat 
in  after  years,  and  in  IWT  he  went  back  to 
Ohio,  to  the  old  farm  and  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  life  with  his  sou  John  and  only 
daughter.  Although  for  several  months 
prior  to  his  death  he  was  blinil  from  cata- 
ract in  both  eyes,  he  still  retained  his  inter- 
est in  evei-y  day  affairs  and  was  always  en- 
thusiastic in  i>raise  of  Illinois.  Few  men 
worked  harder  than  he  and  yet  he  found 
tim3  to  reiul  and  keep  thoroughly  posted  on 
current  events.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in 
public  sclnK)ls  and  in  the  matter  of  public 
roads  and  did  a  gieat  deal  to  build  them  up. 
He  was  a  moral  man  and  was  radical  in  his 
temperance  views;  he  was  among  the  lirst 
to  discard  whisky  from  the  harvest  field  and 
his  voice  was  always  for  temperance,  teach- 
ing these  i>rin('ii>Ies  to  his  children  on  every 
jiroper  oecasion.  He  died  November  10, 
1!S7.">,  Hujurned  by  hosts  of  friends  of  Ohio 
anil  Illinois  as  well. 


\V.  J.  Foiin. 
Tlie  man  who  uiakes  two  blades  f>f  grass 
grow  where  one  grew  before  is  a  public  ben- 
efactor. The  man  or  men  who  have  added 
muscle  and  bone,  synnnetry  and  high  action 
to  our  beasts  of  burden,  who  ha\e  made  one 
horse  by  careful  breeding  and  training  to  do 
more  than  two  is  doubly  a  benefactor.  In 
any  connnunity  will  be  found  one  or  more 
men  who,  by  their  enterprise,  advanced 
ideas,  push  and  pluck,  have  become  public 
benefactoi-s.  Of  this  class  of  men  is  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Ford  was  born  in 
Clark  county.  Ohio,  in  February  V<n.  His 
parents,  James  0.  and  Elizabeth  (Hannah) 
Ford,  w^ere  natives  of  the  same  state.  Young 
Ford  grew  to  nuudiood  in  his  native  state. 
He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in 
the  connnon  sc1kh)1s.  In  is.">^,  he  married 
Miss  Catharine  Birely.  She  was  bftrn  in 
Freilericksburg,  Indiana,  in  October,  1S;«. 
Three  children  are  the  ivsult  of  this  union. 
Their  names  in  the  order  of  their  birth  are: 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  wife  of  W.J.  Harris.  They 
reside  east  of  Urhana.  Lewis  E.,  is  a  resi- 
dent on  his  father's  farm.  Eliza  E.,  marrieil 
J.  E.  Nye,  who  is  a  farmer  and  resident  of 
Somer  township.  Mr.  Font  came  to  Illinois 
in  1S(J0  and  settled  in  Piatt  county,  where  he 
remained  until  1863,  when  he  came  to  this 
county  and  rented  the  farm  now  owned  by 
J.  W.  Cushman,  scmth  of  I'rbana.  He  sub- 
sequently removed  to  sectioii  twenty-one 
(21,)  in  Somer  township,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  and  there  remained 
luitil  his  removal  to  Urbana.  His  occ*npa- 
tion  has  been  farming  and  breeding  of  tine 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


20 


horses.  Soon  after  hisanival  in  tliis  eounty, 
lie  began  taking  a  deei)  interest  in  the  ini- 
l.rovenient  of  stock.  His  ettorts  were  di- 
reoted  mainly  to  the  liorse,  and  it  can  be 
truthfnlly  said  that  lie  has  done  more  to 
bring  tlie  breed  np  to  their  present  liigh 
standard  tlian  any  other  man  in  the  oonnty. 
He  brought  a  horst'  w  illi  him  wlien  he  came 
to  the  comity,  known  as  the  "Ford"  horse. 
Many  of  our  readers  will  recollect  him.  In 
ISTsiie  purchased  the  well  known  Belgian 
liorse  "Bismark"  who.  perhaps,  is  better 
known  in  Central  Illinois  than  any  other  of 
his  breed.  Uld  "Bis"  is  still  living,  in  tine 
condition,  not  the  least  disligured  and  still 
in  the  ring.  In  1S>>4,  Mr.  Ford  made  a  special 
trip  to  Scotland,  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Ford,  Thomas  &  Satfei,  and  personally  se- 
lected a  number  of  line  horses  which  he 
brought  over  and  i»laced  in  their  stud.  The 
linn  have  since  that  made  other  importations, 
many  of  them  have  been  sold  to  parties 
throughont  the  state.  Tlieir  stal)les  and 
paddocks  are  extensive  and  specially  fitted 
up  for  the  business.  They  have  now  a  num- 
ber of  tine  specimens  of  the  Clyde,  Norman 
and  Belgian  breeds,  that  is  well  worthy  of  a 
visit  and  inspection.  In  addition  to  their 
business  of  importing  and  selling  blooded 
horses,  Messrs.  Ford,  Tliomas  &  Saffel  are 
extensively  engaged  in  tlie  sale  of  agricul- 
tural impiements.  They  have  a  large  and 
extremely  well  arranged  agricultural  ware- 
house. It  is  tilled  with  reapers,  mowing 
machines,  threshers,  corn  planters,  cultivat- 
ors, plows,  harrows,  hay  rakes,  corn  siiellers, 
wagons,  buggies,  garden  tools,  grass  seeds, 
etc.,  etc.  This  season  has  witnessed  great 
activity  in  and  around  their  wareliouse. 
Their  business  in  this  department  is  larger 
than  any  other  house  in  the  county  and  is 
constantly  increasing  as  tiieir  low  prices, 
pleasing  and  correct  methods  of  doing  busi- 
ness becomes  better  known.  In  short,  the 
importing  stables  and  agrinultm-al  imple- 
ment business  of  Messrs.  Ford,  Thomas  & 
Satfei  is  one  of  the  big  institutions  of  Ur- 
bana. 


Edwakd  Bi.ackshaw 
Was  born  September  1st,  1881,  at  Bromley, 
near  Dudley,  Staffordshire,  England,  about 
one  mile  from  the  place  where  iron  was  tirst 
smelted  by  bituminous  coal,  by  Dud  Dudley, 
son  of  Lord  Dudley,  ;n  1865,  at  Dud  Dud- 
ley's. His  father  was  Joseph  Blackshaw, 
his  mother  was  Hannah  Hill.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Edgbaston  England,  April  3,  ISno,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Jones,  since  deceased.  He 
was  married  a  second  time,  August  17,  188-2, 
to  Mrs.  J.  Strachan,  who  is  still  living.  In 
1858,  on  his  arrival  here,  he  established  his 
dental  office  and  has  done  an  extensive 
business  ever  since.  He  has  always  been  a 
thorough  student  and  has  introduced  the  va- 
rious inventions  in  his  profession  as  soon  as 
his  investigation  convinced  him  of  their 
merits.  He  was  the  first  to  introduce  in  this 
county,  the  following  inventions,  to-wit: 
Rubber  as  a  base  for  artilicial  teeth,  in  lS(;i 
or  2,  Nitro  Oxide  or  laughing  gas,  in  18W. 
Os-artificial  as  tilling  for  teeth,  in  1862,  Cheo- 
plastic  as  a  base  for  lower  sets,  in  1860, 
Weighted  Rubber,  as  abase  for  lower  sets,  in 
1879,  Cavities  in  lower  plate,  in  1878,  Bro.  of 
Ethyl,  in  188;S,  the  local  anesthetic  for  the 
gums,  in  18(50,  the  use  of  a  base  plate  of 
metal  and  fasten  the  teeth  on  with  rubber 
for  lower  sets,  in  1884,  Tif!ine,  for  extracting, 
June  1885,  Robbins  Remedy,  in  August  1885, 
Yinglings  Chlorodont,  in  December  1885, 
Emery  Burrs  and  wheels  for  lathes,  in  Au- 
gust, 1885.  In  188(5,  the  Doctor  introduced 
Moseley's  Soporative,  which  produces 
natural  sleep,  which  he  is  using  very 
successfully  in  his  dental  business.  Dr. 
Blackshaw  is  well  known  throughout  the 


21 


PIOXEKIIS  OF  CJIAMi'AiaX  COUNTY . 


state  as  a  zealous  Fiec  Mason,  lie  was 
made  a  Mason  in  1857,  in  Fountain  Lodge, 
No.  -il*,  Fon  l)u  ry.ie,  Wi^tconsin.  He  has 
iieid  llie  otiice  of  Master  of  Uibana  Lod;^e, 
1")-,  been  Iligli  Priest  of  Urbana  Ciiapter,  No. 
{;0,  for  eleven  years,  T.  I.  (1.  M.  of  Urbana 
Conneil,  No.  1'.',  for  twonly-one  years,  serv- 
h1  as  Captain  General  of  Urbana  Coninian- 
dery.  No.  10,  and  now  occupies  the  posifio-.i 
of  (Jeneralissinio  in  same  ('on)Miandery.  He 
also  tilled  the  honorable  position  of  Puissant 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Council  of  the 
state  of  Illinois,  for  one  ye<ir.  The  Doctor 
is  known  far  and  wide  as  a  skilled  dentist 
and  in  every  town  in  Central  Illinois  has 
warm  friends  who  always  give  him  a  hearty 
greeting. 


^MiiSlm^, 


John  T.  Phillip.s 
Was  born  in  Mifflin  Co.,  Pa.,  May  24, 1818, 
being  the  same  day  on  which  (Jueen  Victoria 
was  born.  His  parents  were  Isaac  I'hillips 
and  Priscilla  Hill.  He  worked  on  a  farm 
and  in  a  distillery  from  the  time  he  was  ten 
years  old  until  1N4T,  when  he  emigrated  to 
Iowa,  wliere  lie  farmed  until  the  spring  of 
Is.'iO,  when  lie  crossed  the  jilains  for  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  remained  till  the  fall  of 
1851,  His  wife  whom  he  had  married  Sept. 
1!»,  188'.),  in  Pennsylvania,  came  to  Illinois  in 
August  18.51.  She  was  born  in  Mifllin  Co., 
Pa.,  and  is  still  living.  Mr.  Phillips  ihove 
an  ox  team  back  from  California.  His 
children  are,  Mary  Matilda,  who  married 
liichard  .Joe,  now  in  Nel)raska;  P^rances.who 
married  Fred  Davis,  and  died  in  ISTG;  Will- 
iam II.,  who  entered  the  army  in  the  ICith 
111.  Cavalry  and  was  starved  to  death  in 
Andersouville  prison;  John,  now  married 


and  residing  in  Urbana;  Edward,  a  tinner 
in  Philo,  and  Ella,  who  has  already  shown 
much  iiroliiMciicy  in  vocal  music.  Four 
children  died  in  infancy.  He  was  a  Presby- 
terian i)rior  to  coming  to  Illinois,  but  has 
Ix'en  a  Methodist  since  coming  here.  He 
was  an  old  live  Whig  and  has  tH?en  a  red 
hot  reiniblican  ever  since  that  party  was 
born.  Mr.  Phillips  was  the  engineer  in 
Park's  Mills  in  Urlmna  for  twelve  years, 
and  for  about  nine  years  was  sawyer  in  a 
mill.  He  worked  lor  the  I.,  B.  &  W.  K.  W. 
Co.,  for  about  six  years  and  is  now  connect- 
ed with  the  mail  service.  He  has  seen  this 
county  grow  from  a  vote  of  1.300  to  one  of 
over  ten  thousand.  Mr.  Phillips  has  always 
been  an  indiistrioui=  man  of  steady  habits 
and  although  in  his  ODth  year  he  attends  to 
his  business  regularly  and  faithfully  and 
bids  fair  to  live  manv  rears  longer. 


m0Mh 


Alkxander  Spence. 

Of  all  the  foreign-born  subjects  of  this 
country  that  are  tirst  to  learn  the  true  intent 
and  meaning  of  republicaji  institutions,  the 
Scotchman  stands  at  the  head.  While  not 
so  nuuun-ous  as  other  nationalities,  yet  his 
thrift,  industry,  brawn  and  muscle,  and  wide 
intelligence  has  made  him  an  important  fac- 
tor in  our  civilization. 

The  subject  of  tliis  brief  sketch  was  born 
ill  Kirkland,  Fifcshire,  Scotland,  June  11, 
is'i,5.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Jeannette 
(Davidson)  Si)ence.  In  his  youth  he  served 
an  apprenticeshi])  at  the  baker's  trade  and 
followed  it  after  his  arrival  in  this  country. 
He  came  to  America  in  1^.52,  landing  at  New 
York,  Nov.  17.    He  worked  at  his  trade  in 


pio:neers  of  champaign  county. 


22 


<1itferent  places  until  October,  1858,  when  he 
<'anie  to  Uibana  and  worked  for  Geo.  W. 
\  Burton,  wlio  was  tlie  proprk'tor  of  tlu;  l)ake- 
shop  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and 
:Market  streets.  In  l^Cil  he  purdiased  Mr. 
Burton's  interests  and  continued  tiie  bakery, 
added  groceries  and  i)rovisions  and  wastluis 
iMigageil  until  1S79.  On  tlie  9th  of  October, 
1^71,  his  building  was  destroyed  by  tire.  He 
soon  after  erected  the  present  large  brick 
building,  which  contains  twoliandsonie  bus- 
iness rooms.  In  1879  he  sold  out  and  went 
to  Kansas  City  and  followed  baking  for  four 
years  there,  returned  to  Urbana,  where  he 
at  present  resides. 

While  yet  a  resident  of  Scotland  Mr. 
Spence  married  Elizabeth  Keuuear.  By 
that  union  there  were  two  children,  John 
and  Mary.  The  former  manie<l  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Kenney.  Tliey  are  residents  of  Mis- 
souri. Mary  is  the  wife  of  George  Lloyd 
and  is  a  resident  of  Urbana.  Mr.  Spence 
married  Miss  Lavina  J.  Baltzell  in  1803. 
She  died  in  186(5  without  issue.  Mr.  Spence 
married  his  present  wife  in  1874.  Siie  was 
the  widow  of  John  Nevin.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Spence  are  members  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church.  Politically,  Mr.  Spence,  soon 
after  coming  to  this  country,  joined  the  dem- 
ocratic party,  lie  continued  a  member  of 
that  political  organization  until  the  free  soil 
issue  became  prominent.  Not  liking  the  at- 
titufle  of  his  party  on  that  and  the  slavery 
question,  he  took  the  tirst  opportunity  of 
joining  a  party  more  in  accord  with  his 
views.  The  opportunity  came  with  the  for- 
mation of  the  republican  iiarty  and  nomina- 
tion of  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  cast  his  tirst 
republican  vote  in  ISGO,  and  from  that  time 
to  the  present  has  remained  staunch  and 
true  to  its  teachings. 

Mr.  Spence  has  made  two  trips  back  to  his 
native  land.  The  first  in  1800,  and  the  sec- 
ond in  1880.  On  the  last  he  was  accompa- 
nied by  his  estimable  wife.  They  visited 
scenes  of  their  childhood  and  renewed  ac- 
quaintances of  "Auld  Lang  Syne."  They 
spent  four  months  abroatl  and  then  returned 
to  America,  but  before  returning  home  visit- 
ed for  several  weeks  in  Vermont,  tiie  birth- 
place and  home  of  Mrs.  Spence.  Mr.  Spence 
was  for  many  years  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  Urbana,  and  as  such  built  up  a 
reputation  for  strict  integrity  and  fair  deal- 
ing. He  was  always  public  spirited.  Any 
enterprise  having  for  its  object  the  material 
increase  or  prosperity  of  the  town  or  county 
found  in  him  an  active  and  liberal  supporter 
and  contributor. 


%^^Mm"""' 


fe^i-'«;^ 


:y..mm 


David  B.  Staytox. 

Thi^  gentleman  who  is  now  the  oldest  set- 
tler in  St.  .Joseph   township,  was  born  .June 
3,  1818,  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  nine 
miles  above  Maysville.    .Joseph  Stayton,  his 
father,  came    to   this  county  October  lOtli, 
1830,  with  his  family,  including  young  David 
a  lad  of  eleven  years,  and  settled  on  section 
twenty-six,  St.  Joseph  township.    The  fath- 
er died  in  18.58.    David  B.  received  a  fair  ed- 
ucation such  as  he  could  get  in  that  day.  As 
Mr.  Stayton  remembers  the  country  in  his 
boyhood  days,  it  was  wild  indeed.    His  first 
playmates  were   Indians  who  used  to  camp 
on  the  east  bank  of  the   Salt   Fork  during 
the  winter  about  five  hundred  strong,  a  little 
below  where  the  state  road  now  crosses  the 
stream.    He  left  home  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  and  worked  by  the  month  for  about  six 
months;  he  then  worked  his  father's  farm 
on  shares  till  1848.    He  was  married  De- 
cember 28,  1847,  to  Sarah   Bartley,   daughter 
of  Joseph  Bartley;  she  was  born  Aprils, 
1826.    They  have  four  children  living:  Eliz- 
abeth, the  only  daughter,   married  John  S. 
McElwee;  Joseph  is  now  out  west;  David  a 
merchant  in  St.  Joseph;  and  James.    Mr. 
Stayton  has  been  supervisor  of  his  township 
and  has  been  collector  for  23  years— ever 
since  the  township  was  organized.    He  lias 
held  other  offices  from  time  to  time,  besides 
being  assessor  for  several  years.    He  used 
to  make  annual  trips  to  Chicago  to  take 
grain  and  bring  back  provisions.    He  was 
first  a  democrat,  casting  his  first  vote  for 
James  K.  Polk.  He  remained  such  until  in 
1860  he  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  has 
since  been  a  staunch  republican.    He  has 


23 


PIONEERS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


always  been  coiisiilteil  about  county  as  well 
a.s  township  matters,  and  liis  inlluence  has 
always  been  jiieat  in  political  matters. 
He  is  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  i)arty  in  the 
county.  His  memory  is  good  and  it  is  inter- 
estinji  to  hear  him  relate  the  habits,  customs, 
liardshii>s  and  incidents  of  tlie  early  days. 
He  owns  over  OOi)  acres  of  line  farnnng  and 
stock  land  and  has  it  in  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation. His  memory  is  vivid  as  to  the  tow 
breetrlies  the  men  and  l>oys  wore,  made  by 
themselves  from  flax  of  their  own  raising, 
and  describes  how  they  used  to  put  a  little 
stripe  in  it  for  the  women  to  wear;  also  how 
they  wore  their  winter  clothing  of  yarn, 
maile  at  home  and  woven  by  the  good  wives 
and  mothers.  Mr.  Stayton  is  strong  and  ac- 
tive and  is  highly  respected  and  beloved  by 
all  ills  neighbors.  He  is  known  well  by  the 
people  of  the  country  as  one  of  our  most  reli- 
able and  substantial  citizens. 


Hon.  James  S.  Wkight. 
The  i)aternal  grand  iKirents  of  Mr.  Wright 
wer(;  born  ami  died  in  Frederick  county,  Va. 
They  were  farmers  and  of  Scotch  descent. 
His  maternal  grand  parents  named  Stevens 
lived  and  died  in  I'ennsylvania,  and  were  of 
(lerman  descent.  His  father,  John  B. 
Wright,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  17S,5  and 
married  Elizabeth  Stevens  in  WK).  They  re- 
moved by  a  fanuly  boat  down  the  Ohio  to  a 
point  near  Leesburg,  Ya.,  where  James  S., 
as  he  puts  it,  witlnmt  his  knowledge  or  con- 
sent, was  born,  Aug.  4,  ISKi.  In  spring  of 
181T  they  removed  to  where  Winchester,  In- 
diana, now  stands.  His  mother  died  there 
in  1835,  and  hislfather  died  here  in  ISG',).  His 


father  served  from  181S  to  1>^"34  iu  the  Indi- 
ana legislature  at  Corydon,  the  old  capital. 
Here  the  boy  James  did  pretty  much  as  oth- 
er farmer  boys,  and  in  addition  blowed  the 
bellows  and  wielded  the  sledge  on  the  off 
side  of  the  anvil,  for  his  father  was  also  a 
blacksmith.  He  went  to  school  three  months 
each  winter  where  the  old  Scotch  teacher 
would  vaiy  the  afternoon  exercises  by  tak- 
ing a  nap,  a  drink  of  liquor  and  whiijpimr 
two  or  tiiree  boys.  In  18:^)  the  family  came 
to  this  county  and  bought  land  just  north  of 
Homer,  September  24,  at  Sl.'l^i  per  acre.  The 
ague  then  iiliook  a  n)an  out  of  his  boots  in  an 
hour,  if  he  had  any  (such  luxuries  were  then 
unknown)  and  malarial  fevers  were  quite 
prevalent.  Many  packed  up  and  left 
this  t<'rtile  county  and  wended  their  way 
back,  disgusted,  to  Posey  comity,  Indiana,  or 
old  Tennessee.  Hay,  corn  and  oats  had  no 
cash  ma-iket  value  for  many  years.  They 
sold  corn  as  low  as  four  cents  per  bushel. 
During  these  low  prices  Jackson  vetoed  the 
re-charter  of  the  United  States  bank  and 
advise<l  the  state  banks  todiscount  liberally, 
which  they  were  not  slow  in  doing.  The 
"Hed  dog,"  "Blue  pup"  and  a  variety  of 
currency  followed.  Banks  were  organized 
in  obscure  localities  and  issued  money, 
whose  whereabouts  were  never  learned. 
Thus  in  183.V0  produce  was  booming  in  the 
worthless  currency.  Pork  raised  on  the 
mast  from  the  woods  was  worth  five  or  six 
dollars  per  hundred  and  all  were  happy. 
The  crash  came  in  1837  and  the  hardest  of 
all  times  followed.  In  ls3T  when  he  lacked 
three  months  of  being  of  age,  James  S. 
"sti'uck"  for  the  remainder  of  his  minority, 
and  after  much  persuasion,  his  father  per- 
mitted him  to  go  and  work  on  his  own  ac- 
count, on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal 
from  the  village  of  Chicago  to  the  Illinois 
river  at  the  enormous  salary  of  one  dollar  a 
day.  He  hired  a  farm  hand  at  ten  dollars 
per  month  to  work  in  his  place  for  his  father 
for  the  three  months  of  his  minority.  He 
remained  there  until  he  had  made  enough  to 
pay  the  hantl  and  buy  40  acres  of  land  for 
5550.00.  He  then  clerked  for  M.  D.  Colfeen 
until  1840  at  .513.00  per  month  and  then  mar- 
ried Katherine  Lander,  whose  parents  John 
and  Sophia  W.  Lander,  moved  from  Bour- 
bon comity,  Kentucky,  October  1st,  18:W,  set- 
tling near  Mr.  Wright's  farm.  John  Lander 
dieii  in  1837  and  Sophia  W.  in  1849.  Kather- 
ine, the  wife  of  James  S.,  was  born  in  Bour- 
bon county,  Kentucky,  ilarch  2tith,  18;33. 
William  Elliott,  Esq.,  of  Homer,  married  a 
sister  of  Katherine  the  same  day.    The  two 

couples  were  united  by  Kev.  William  Phil- 
lips (who  married  Charles  Busey's  daugh- 
ter).   Mr.  Wright  thought  then  he  had  a 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIOA  CorKTV. 


24 


good  wifo,  but  now,  at't(M-4()  years  of  wedded 
life,  lie  says  he  knows  it.    Both  had  about 
$ti()0  of  this  world's  goods  when  they  started 
on  their. joint  journey  of    lite.    'I'o  supjiort 
her  he  tirst  organized  a  subscrii)tion  school, 
but  after  two  weeks  of  experience  in  "ke(»j)- 
ing  school"  on  receiving  the  tenii)ting  otter 
of  S'2.'>.0()  per  mouth  to  clerk  again  for  M.  1). 
Cotfeen,  he  got  William  Elliott  to  take  the 
school  off  his  hands.     He  spent  the  winter 
with  Mr.  Colteen.     He  went  U)  farming  the 
next  spring.    In  the  winter  and  spring  of 
lS42-;-i  he  packed   pork  at  Perrysville,  Ind., 
built  Hat  boats  and  shii>ped  to  New  Orleans. 
In  1S44  he  went  fis  supercargo  with  pork  lor 
Gen.  Olds,  of  Circleville,  Ohio.     In  1845   he 
went  to  selling  goods  in  Homer  on  his  own 
account,  and  so  continued  till  185.5.    In   184() 
he  was  the  Whig  candidate  against  Col.  M. 
W.  Busey,  the  democratic  candidate  for  the 
legislature,  and  Mr.  Wright  was  elected  by 
50  majority.    He  met  in  this  legislature  such 
men  as  Ex-Gov.   lleynolds,    U.   ¥.    Linder, 
Gov.  Matte.son  and  Stephen  T.  Logan,    then 
leader  of  the  house.    Lincoln  and    David 
Davis  were  there,  but  not  members.    Ste- 
phen A.  Douglas  was  elected   senator,   but 
Mr.  Wright  voted  for  Ben  Bond,  the   Whig 
candidate.    From  IS?>-^  to  1850  he  held  the 
otlice  of  county  surveyor.     He   signed  the 
tirst  .'SI.OOU  to  the  subscription  to  build   the 
old  college  building  which  aided  this  county 
so  much  in  getting  the  University  here.    He 
afterwards  gave  •5500  more  to  get  it  complet- 
ed,   lie  looks  upon  his  effort  in  that  direc- 
tion as  the  crowning  one  in  the  interest  of 
Champaign,  Urbana  and  the   county.    He 
served  at  Danville  as  one  of  the  enrolling 
connnissioners  for  two  years  during  the  war. 
In  186(1  he  helped  organize  the  First  Nation- 
al Bank  of  Champaign  and  was  cashier  for 
three  years.    H(^  sold  out  his  stock  in  bank 
and  tried  farming  for  about  ten  years,  most- 
ly stock  farming.    All  this  time  he  took  an 
interest  in  politics.    In  1880  he  was  nomin- 
ated and  elected  to  the  state  senate  for  four 
years.    Mr.  Wright  often  speaks  of  the  fact 
that  it  seemed  to  him  that  there  was  not  the 
brains  and  tahmt  there  that  he  found  thirty 
years  ago. 

He  has  neyer  belonged  to  any  church,  nor  to 
any  order  or  organization  except  every  teni- 
l)erance  society  that  came  his  way.  He  is  a 
tirm  l)eliever  in  (Jod  and  in  the  doctrine  that 
all  men  will  be  rewarded  according  to  their 
acts  while  here  on  earth.  He  has  little  faith 
in  death  bed  repentance.  For  lifty-six  years 
.Mr.  Wright  has  lived  in  this  county  and 
SCI  ved  faithful  in  many  trusts,  public  and 
private.  He  has  never  betrayed  them  and 
has  won  an  enviable  place  in  tlie  iiearts  of 
our  people. 


Em  J.  Hia.i.KK. 

In  the  language  of  Prof.  Draper:  "Tell 
me  of  the  country,  the  nature  and  fertility 
of  its  soil,  the  lay  of  its  land,  &c.,  and  I  will 
tell  you  the  kind  of  men  it  raises."  Nothing 
is  truer.  Good,  rich,  generous  soil  produces 
broad,  liberal-minded  men— no  narrow  con- 
tracted creeds  or  isms  shrink  and  slirivel 
up  the  soul  of  the  man  who  is  born,  lives 
and  thrives  on  the  broad  fertile  plains  of  the 
west.  Ohio  has  sent  to  Illinois  a  class  of 
men  who  have  been  an  honor  to  the  state. 

Eli  J.  lleller  was  born  in  Tuscarawas 
county,  Ohio,  Dec.  iM,  1836.  He  is  the  off- 
spring of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Taylor)  Hel- 
ler. His  father  brought  his  family  to  Ur- 
bana in  the  fall  of  1851.  Here  young  Heller 
grew  to  manhood.  He  remained  at  home 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war.  In 
July,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  2nd  IlMnois 
cavalry.  He  served  three  years  when  he 
veteranized  with  his  regiment  and  remained 
in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
was  mustered  out  and  honorably  disciiarged 
in  1866,  having  served  four  aiul  a  half  years. 
He  returnetl  home  to  Urbana  and  engaged 
in  draying,  and  in  connection  run  a  hack 
and  liaggage  line.  He  subse(iuently  addetl 
coal  to  the  business.  Uniler  his  industrious 
managtmient  the  business  grew  to  such  pro- 
portions that  he  found  him.self  unable  to  at- 
tend to  it,  and  was  compelled  to  call  in  as- 
sistance. He  then  formed  a  iiartnership 
with  .Josiah  Toy,  and  together  they  have 
built  up  a  trade  that  is  secontl  to  none  in  this 
part  of  the  state.  They  are  well  e(|uipped 
for  the  business,  with  carriages,  baggage 
wagons,  vans  and  drays,  and  at  a  moment's 


25 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


notice  will  lit  you  out  with  an  eU'gant  tiu-n- 
out,  haul  your  baggage,  move  your  furni- 
ture, supply  you  with  soft  or  hard  coal  in 
quantities  from  a  bushel  up  to  a  car  load. 
Mr.  Heller  has  grown  up  with  the  town  and 
is  lunnbert'd  among  its  most  respected 
citizens.  He  was  a  member  of  the  board  of 
aldermen  for  eight  years,  during  which  time 
many  of  the  substantial  improvements  of  the 
town  were  maile.  He  is  jirominent  in  Ma- 
sonic circles  and  holds  membership  in  vari- 
ous orders  in  that  bo<ly. 

Mr.  Heller  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Sarah  Ella  Black,  Nov.  30,  1866.  She 
died  in  April,  issi,  leaving  three  children, 
named  Opal  B.,  Birdie  and  Aaron  T.  Heller. 
Politically  Mr.  Heller  comes  from  old  line 
whig  stock.  He  cast  his  lirst  vote  for  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  in  1860.  He  attested  his  ad- 
hesion to  that  party  (republican)  and  loyal- 
ty to  his  country  by  his  enlistment  in  the 
army,  where  he  remained,  as  before  stated, 
until  the  war  was  over.  Political  comment 
is  unnecessary. 


AHOIIA     ("AMritKI,].. 

Mr.  ('ampbell  was  born  about  ISlii,  at 
Campbelltown,  Steuben  county,  New  York, 
where  he  continued  to  liv(!  until  n(^ar  his 
majority,  when  he  came  westward  in  the 
pursuit  of  foitune.  He  lirst  foimd  employ- 
ment at  Cincinnati,  where  he  hired  to  a  mer- 
chant to  travel  with  a  wagon  and  train 
through  the  west  and  sell  goods,  lleaching 
Covington,  Ind.,  he  received  directions  from 
his  emi)l()yer  to  cross  over  to  the  Illinois 
river  and  report  there  for  duty.  According- 
ly in  February,  T^otl,  for  it  is  of  that  tune  we 


write,  he  passed  through  the  scattered  set- 
tlements of  Champaign  county  and  stopped 
over  night  in  IJrbaiia  for  the  lirst  time.  So 
impressed  was  he  with  the  beauties  and 
prospects  of  this  country  that  in  1842  he  re- 
turned here  and  settled  jtermanently  at  Ur- 
bana.  Here  he  remaineil  for  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  with  the  exception  of 
short  sojourns  on  farms  opened  by  him,  one 
at  Mink  Grove,  now  Kantoul,  and  one  on  the 
ridge,  half  way  to  Mahomet,  in  what  is  now 
Hensiey  township,  and  exceiiting  also  a  few 
years  spent  as  keeper  of  the  Doane  house, 
which  house  he  built  and  named.  While 
here  he  filled  the  office  of  probate  justice 
for  two  years,  from  1847  to  1849,  and  wisely 
atlministered  the  affairs  of  that  office.  He 
also  filled  the  office  of  county  commissioner 
for  three  years,  from  1845  to  1848,  and  as  such 
was  very  influential  in  the  management  of 
the  county  business,  then  done  by  a  board 
of  three  connnissioners  instead  of  by  a  board 
of  supervisors,  as  now.  it  was  during  his 
term  as  commissioner  that  the  second  court 
house,  a  one  story  frame  building  about  30x 
40  feet,  was  moved  from  the  public  square 
and  the  first  brick  court  house  was  built. 
He  was  often  heard  to  speak  of  the  po|>nlar 
uprising  in  the  county  caused  by  this  inno- 
vation. He  was  not  the  man  to  be  deterred 
or  held  back  from  the  performance  of  a 
plain  duty  by  the  fear  of  what  "they"  might 
say,  and  never  relaxed  his  efforts  toward 
the  consunnnation  of  his  i)urpose  until  the 
public'needs  were  fully  met  by  a  commocii- 
ous  court  house.  The  good  sense  of  the  peo- 
ple was  not  long  in  forgiving  the  extrava- 
gance of  a  three  thousand  dolhir  court  house 
and  commending  the  public  spirit  of  the 
commissioners.  Mr.  Campbell  was  the  first  7 
mayor  of  llrbana,  also  president  of  the  Ur-  / 
bana  railroad  company,  whicii  obtained  the 
right  of  way  and  graded  fhe  track  of  our 
street  railway.  He  was  always  foremost  in 
every  public  enterprise,  firmly  believing  in 
the  future.  He  early  becanu>  a  mend)er  of 
the  M.  E.  church  here  and  was  active  and 
liberal  in  the  construction  aiul  subsequent 
enlargement  of  the  church  building.  His 
religion  was  not  cast  in  narrow  moulds  nor 
his  benevolence  bcmnded  by  church  organi- 
zation, so  each  chiu'eh  enterprise  receive<l 
his  earnest  aid.  He  was  an  outspoken  Jack- 
son democrat  until  the  advocates  of  slavery 
extension  over-run  the  Missouri  Compromise 
in  18.")4,  at  which  he  revolted  and  earnestly 
joined  in  the  organization  of  the  republican 
party,  with  which  he  thereafter  acted,  The 
setthiinent  of  Mr.  Cami)bell  here  was  instru- 
nu'utal  in  bringing  quite  a  number  of  others 
here  also.  His  i>arents,  Solomon  Campbell 
and  wife,  canu'   in  a  few  years,   as  did  also 


PIONEERS  OP  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


26 


several  biotliers  and  sisters,  all  of  whom 
were  well  known  and  intluential  citizens  in 
the  earlier  years  of  our  iiistoiy.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell was,  while  here,  twice  married.  On 
February  10th,  1845,  he  was  married  to  Eliza 
Bnchtel,  who  died  August  29th,  ISiH,  leav- 
ing one  ciiild,  Fanny,  and  with  two  children 
who  preceded  her,  lies  buried  in  the  old 
cemetery.  Her  sudden  and  almost  tragic 
death  will  not  be  forgotten  by  the  residents 
of  that  day.  On  November  13,  1855,  he  was 
again  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Hewett,  who 
with  one  son  and  two  daughters  survive  him. 
Many  who  survive  Mr.  Campbell  and  still 
remain  here,  will  not  soon,  if  ever,  forget 
Jiis  many  acts  of  kindness.  lie  literally  stood 
upon  the  threshold  of  his  county  and  held 
out  a  hearty  welcome  to  all  new-comers. 
Many  were  made  welcome  to  his  home  and 
kindly  remember  his  iiospitalities.  He  took 
great  interest  in  our  old  settlers'  meetings, 
and  altiiougii  not  present  in  person,  wrote  a 
letter  to  be  lead  on  each  occasion. 


Thomas  ljixnsp;Y 
Was  born  July  8,  18;J0,  at  West  Midflletown, 
Washington  c(mnty,  Pennsylvania.  His 
fattier  was  Tiiomas  Liudsey,  his  motiier 
IVrmelia  Williams.  Tlie  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  to  tiiis  county  in  November, 
1841,  and  settled  in  Urbana— just  after  he 
became  of  age.  He  was  married  April  9, 
1845,  in  U  rbaua,  to  Martha  Ami  Bruer,  daugh- 
ter of  Asahel  Hruer;  she  was  born  Ajiril  2fj, 
is^ilt,  and  is  still  living.  She  is  well  and 
hearty,  and  Mr.  Lindsey  declares  she  can 
do  more  work  than  any  girl  in  the  county. 


The  children  of  this  marriage  were:  Wil- 
liam, now  residing  in  Humboldt,  Kansas; 
Permelia,  who  married  W.  S.  McWilliams, 
residing  at  Fort  Scott,  Kansas;  James  and 
Charles,  residing  in  Urbana;  Laura  Belle, 
who  married  James  Thornton,  residing  at 
Yellow  Sinings,  Ohio;  George,  and  Thomas 
Edward,  both  of  Urbana.  ail  living.  Mr. 
Jjindsey,  though  not  a  member  of  any 
church,  was  raised  and  has  always  been  a 
regular  attendant  on  the  I'resbyterian 
church.  Politically,  he  has  been,  and  is 
now,  a  radical  republican.  He  has  never 
sought  any  oHice  but  has  been  school  direc- 
tor pretty  much  all  his  natural  life.  He 
served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  carpenter 
and  cabinet  maker's  trade  in  Pennsylvania. 
He  followed  the  business  here  immediately 
upon  his  arrival  and  for  twenty  years  he 
had  the  leadiaig  business  in  that  line,  in  tliis 
city.  To  this  he  added  the  undertaking  bus-/' 
iness.  For  many  years  he  made  all  the  cot- 
tins  by  hand,  for  this  city  and  surrounding 
country.  He  charged  S5.00  for  the  coffin  and 
furnished  everything  else  free.  The  Messrs. 
Harvey  also  dug  the  graves  without  chai'ge^ 
so  that  the  funeral  expenses  cost  but  very 
little  those  days.  When  Samuel  Brumley 
died,  Mr.  Lindsey  made  an  extra 
line  coffin  and  covered  it  with  velvet. 
The  administrator  objected  to  the  cost 
which  was  twelve  dollars,  as  being 
too  extravagant  and  unnecessary.  Mr. 
Lindsey  supplied  the  whole  county  with 
furniture,  made  by  hand,  for  many  years, 
by  laboring  in  his  shop  during  the  winter. 
During  the  summer  months  Mrs.  Lindsey 
sold  out  the  stock  he  had  thus  accumulated, 
while  he  was  out  working  at  the  carpenter's 
trade.  When  he  came  here,  Charles  Tier- 
nan,  father  of  Frank  Tiernan,  had  the  only 
store  here.  He  relates  an  incident  of  at- 
tending the  wedding  of  David  Cantucr,  at 
the  residence  of  T.  Pi.  Webber.  He  and 
others,  during  the  night,  tied  a  coon  to  a 
long  pole  and  planted  it  in  front  of  the 
house  by  way  of  celebrating  the  happ.v 
event,  and  T.  R.  Webber  climbed  the  polf 
in  the  morning  and  cut  it  down.  The  evtui- 
ing  Mr.  Lintlsey  was  married  a  rope  was  tied 
to  the  bell  on  top  of  the  house  and  it  was 
kept  ringing  all  night. 

Mr.  Lindsey  resides  in  peace  and 
comfort  on  his  splendidly  imi)roved  farm, 
southwest  of  this  city.  His  health  for  the 
past  few  years  has  not  been  so  good  as  for- 
merly. He  spent  last  winter  with  his  wife 
in  Florida  where  he  received  great  benelit, 
and  will  probably  spend  his  winters  there 
in  future.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  however,  that 
it  may  not  be  necessary  to  leav(^  hisi)leasant 
home  in  search  of  health.     For  nearly  half 


27 


PIONEEIiS   OF  CUAMPAIGX  COUXTY. 


a  century  he  lias  resided  liere  and  liis  many 
friends,  secured  by  upright  conduct  and  bus- 
iness inbi's^rity,  sincerely  wish  for  a  much 
longer  lease  of  life  and  prosperity. 


John  H.  Strong 
Was  born  August  18,  1830,  in  Vermilion 
county,  Indiana.  Orange  Strong  was  his 
fatiier  and  his  niotlier  was  Nancy  Hilder- 
brand,  whose  brother  was  murderetl  by  Bill 
Weaver,  whicli  was  the  first  nnnder  occur- 
ring in  tiiis  county.  His  parents  came  to  St. 
Joseph,  in  this  county,  in  18.31,  bringing 
John  H.,  then  a  little  babe,  witii  them.  Tiiey 
settled  on  a  farm  one-half  mile  north  of  St. 
Josepli.  Here  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
grew  to  manhood.  He  owned,  for  many 
years,  wliat  was  once  the  old  home  place, 
and  sold  it  some  seven  years  ago.  He  was 
married  at  the  residence  of  'i'homas  Swear- 
ingen,  in  April  1852,  to  Eliza  Ann  Rice  who 
died  in  1!^7.5.  He  was  married  the  second 
time,  January  3,  187S,  to  Lida  Little,  wlu) 
is  still  living.  The  children  of  the  first  wife 
are:  William  Heiny,  a  farmer  in  this  coun- 
ty; Wary,  who  married  A.  V.  Swearingen, 
a  merchant  in  St.  Joseph;  Annie,  who  mar- 
ried Isaac  Walker,  now  residing  in  Hast- 
ing.s,  Nebraska,  and  John  ().,  wlio  is  yet  at 
home,  liy  tlie  second  wife,  the  only  child 
is  Florence,  a  little  girl  of  seven  years.  Mr. 
Strong  was  a  whig  until  the  rei)ublican  par- 
ty was  orgiuii/.ed  and  has  ever  since  been  an 
unswerving  repiibllciin  in  politics,  lie  lirst 
began  business  for  himself  by  running  a 
ditching  muchine,  three  s))rinus,  on  fh,.  San- 
gamon, in  this  county.     When   he  got  mar- 


ried he  bouglit  suacresof  land  and  improved 
it,  and  in  the  meantime,  for  five  years,  ran 
a  breaking  team,  during  which  time  he  broke 
j)rairie  for  David  Boggess,  Doc  Peters,  Hen- 
ry Bartley  and  many  other  men  who  after- 
wards became  well  known  as  leading  farm- 
ers. The  last  year  he  broke  '213  acres  of  the 
I'hinney  farm.  At  the  close  of  tliat  season 
he  grazed  and  fed  liis  twenty-live  yoke  of 
cattle  wliich  had  constituted  his  live  break- 
ing team.s,  and  sold  them.  He  then  c(mi- 
menced  buying  and  sliipi>ing  stock  and  has 
been  ensraged  in  that  business  ever  since. 
He  ha-s,  doubtless,  shipjied  more  hogs  than 
any  man  in  the  county,  and  has  been  longer, 
continuously,  in  the  business  than  any  other 
man  in  this  county.  He  has  dealt  with  and 
met  such  well  known  old  stock  dealers  as 
Ben  Hays,  .Vllen  and  Tyrrell  Poage,  Ben 
Smith,  Joseph  T.  Kelley,  Hiiaui  and  Sanmel 
Jtankin,  Billy  I.  Moore,  and  Ed  Ater.  all  of 
whom  are  dead  except  Mr.  Kelley  and  Mr. 
Ater.  He  has  made  many  trips  to  Chicago 
by  wagon,  and  recites  some  of  the  early  in- 
cidents very  graphically.  He  especially  re- 
nieuibers  of  the  time  when  he  and  Thomas 
Patterson  (who  was  a  stei>son  of  John's 
giandfather,  Cyrus  Strong,)  went  to  mill 
over  on  the  Middle  Fork,  and  got  into  a 
swamp  in  wliicli  the  horses  mired  donn  so 
that  John  had  to  hold  the  horses  heads  up 
out  of  the  water  while  Tonnny  Patterson 
ran,  barefooted,  througli  the  praiiie  stubble 
where  there  hail  been  a  i)rairie  lire,  for  some 
four  miles  to  the  nearest  house  to  get  some 
help.  Tonnny's  feet  were  seriously  lacer- 
ated from  the  tri)),  while  Jolin  was  pretty 
well  out  of  wind  wrestling  with  the  team  to 
keep  them  from  drowning  until  the  help 
came.  Mr.  Strong  is  still  engaged  in  shij)- 
ping  stock.  He  has  the  entire  contidence  of 
the  producers  of  stock  in  this cimncy  because 
they  have  learned  by  many  years  dealing 
with  him  that  he  is  a  man  who  always  keeps 
his  word  and  fullills  every  contract  to  the 
letter.  He  deals  lil^erally  with  those  who 
patronize  him  and  does  not  try  to  make  it 
all  at  one  time.  He  is  in  reasonably  good 
health  and  is  as  activeandsmtcessful  in  bus- 
iness as  ever. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


28 


WlIXIAM     KADEHArOH 

Was  born  Aiuil  4th,  1^18.  at  Bedford,  Pa. 
He  was  mniricd  to  Rebecca  Manspeaker, 
Ajnil  26,  ts4(>,  at  Bedford,  Pa.  She  shared 
his  lot  in  the  liardships  of  pioneer  life,  bore 
him  thirteen  children  and  died  February  15, 
187.5.  Following  are  tiieir  names:  Peter, 
Margaret  A.,  William  J.,  Elnora,  Charle.s, 
Harry  C,  Lena  K.,  Zoe  W.,  F.  A.  Lincoln, 
Alvin  B.,  Oliver,  Olive,  and  Edward.  Oli- 
ver and  Olive  were  twins.  All  living  ex- 
cept the  following,  to-wit:  Peter  AV.,  Zoe 
W.,  F.  A.  Lincoln,  Oliver,  Olive  and  Ed- 
ward, and  the  little  girl  Margaret  A.,  who 
was  drowned  on  their  way  to  Illinois.  He, 
with  his  wife  and  three  children,  (the  tirst 
three  named)  started  for  Urbana,  111.,  from 
Bedford,  March  1st,  is.51.  Coming  by  boat 
KaW  Lowel  down  the  Oiiio  river,  from  Pitts- 
burg. About  20  miles  below  Wheeling,  the 
boatcollidcfl  with  a  boat  named  the  S.  F.  Vin- 
ton, and  the  Lowel  was  sunk.  About  twenty 
were  drowned,  among  them  the  little  three 
year  old  daughter  of  Mr.  lladehaugh.  He 
thought  he  had  all  on  board  the  other  boat 
but  found  he  had  not  the  little  girl.  He  hur- 
ried back  for  her  but  it  was  too  late;  the 
boat  had  gone  down  so  he  could  not  reach 
the  berth  where  she  was  sleeping.  This  was 
in  the  night.  The  next  morning  he  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Waters  took  a  yawl  anil  went  to  the 
sunken  boat  and  cutting  through  the  roof 
they  found  the  body  of  the  little  innocent 
lying  as  if  asleep.  They  buried  her  at  Pow- 
hattan,  Ohio,  and  sorrowfully  continued 
their  journey  to  Evansville,  Ind.,  thence  to 
Perrysville,  on  the  Wabash,  and  thence  by 
wagon  to  Urbana.    All   their  effects  were 


lost  and  they,  therefore,  arrived  with  only 
strong  arms  and  brave,  though  sorrowing 
hearts,  to  carve  out  a  home  and  a  fortune. 
The  journey  took  from  March  1st  to  April 
11th,  a  distance  now  traversed  in  twenty- 
four  hours.  Mr.  Kadebaugh  has  shot  prai- 
rie chickens,  frequently,  on  the  prairie 
where  Mrs.  K.  A.  Sutton  now  lives.  He 
counted  twenty-live  deer  in  one  drove  on 
Dr.  Snyder's  farm.  There  was  about  twenty 
houses  in  Urbana,  then.  He  carried  the 
flagstatf  for  Capt  JS.  M.  Clark,  while  sur- 
veying the  Illinoi.s  central  railroad.  He 
helped  build  the  culverts  and  stations  from 
Champaign  to  Centralia.  He  own(!d  the 
tirst  house  in  Champaign,  (then  West  Ur- 
bana) east  of  the  track.  He  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business,  there,  for  several  years, 
but  has  been  for  twenty-eight  years  farming 
near  his  present  residence,  iiortheast  of 
Philo,  in  this  county.  Here  he  has  rearetl 
and  educated  his  children  and  made  him  a 
pleasant  and  happy  home.  He  is  a  republi- 
can in  politics  and  belongs  to  the  Christian 
church  and  attends  at  the  beautiful  sanctua- 
ry near  his  house,  which  he  has  done  so 
much  to  build  and  sustain. 


Ai-BKKT  G.  Carle 
Was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 
April  !20, 1822.  His  parents  were  William  and 
Sarah  Carle.  At  the  age  of  hfteen  years 
he  moved  to  Ohio,  and  in  1847  came  to  this 
county  and  purchased  a  farm  just  .south  of 
this  city,  where  he  afterwards  resided  until 
his  death.  He  was  married  in  July  1849,  to 
Margaret  Burt,  who  was  truly  an  helpmeet 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  Carle  took 
a  great  int«^rest  ii)  improving  the  stock  of 


29 


riOAEEUS  UF  CHAMFAiaX  CUVXTV. 


the  county,  and  always  kept  upon  liis  farm 
the  highest  bred  stock  to  be  had  in  iiis  day. 
He  was  well  known  to  the  stocknien  of  the 
enlh-e  state  and  in  fact  of  tiie  west,  lie 
bought  hogs  and  cattle  for  many  years  and 
drove  tiu^n  acioss  the  country  to  New  York 
and  Plilladcliihia.  lie  was  always  a 
central  ligure  at  our  county  fairs,  being  one 
of  the  few  men  whose  money  and  labor  kept 
tiiem  up  from  year  to  year.  Politically  he 
was  a  republican,  and  was  always  radical  in 
liis  political  views.  He  was  always  a  judge 
on  the  election  boards  where  with  both  his 
genial  good  nature  and  sparkling  wit  he 
kept  tiie  board  in  the  best  of  humor  while 
lierforming  their  arduous  labors.  He  was 
frecjuently  placed  ui)on  the  grand  jury  where 
he  never  failed  to  keep  that  august  body  in 
lively  spirits  with  his  wonderful  fund  of  hu- 
mor. It  was,  however,  as  a  farmer  and 
stockdealer  that  Mr.  Carle  will  be  long  re- 
membered by  our  people.  In  that  line  he 
was  one  of  the  leading  and  most  successful 
men  in  tiie  county,  for  many  years.  He  died 
March  7, 1881,  after  a  short  illness,  although 
his  health  had  been  pooi-  for  some  years. 


Thomas  L.  Butlkh. 
Mr.  IJutlor  was  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  tins  county.  His  father,  .John  Hutler, 
married  Margaret  Lyons.  Mrs.  Hutler,  the 
mother,  died  when  Thomas  L.  was  live  years 
old.  They  were  residents  of  Mount  Vernon, 
Ohio.  Thomas  Ij.  was  born  in  Alleghany 
county,  I'a.,  March  f>,  l.soo.  He  came  to  Jlli- 
nois  in  the  fall  of  i82s,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two,  and  settled  first  in  Vermilion  county, 
afterwards  removing  to  where  he  now  resides 


in  this  eountv,  near  Homer.  In  the  latter 
part  of  l>vi4  he  married  Rebecca  Wright,  the 
daugliter  of  .Joiui  B.  Wriglit.  She  was  born 
near  Winchester,  Kandolpli  county,  Indiana, 
and  is  .still  living.  Mary,  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter, married  L.  Palmer,  who  lives  near  Ho- 
mer, Arminda,  the  second  daughter,  mar- 
ried Andrew  Palmer,  and  resides  in  Urbana. 
John  and  .James,  David  and  Randolph, 
are  married,  and  all  reside  near  Homer. 
Moses,  another  son,  is  dead.  Laura,  the 
youngest,  is  single  and  lives  with  her 
parents  at  the  old  hnnie  i)lace.  Mr.  Butler 
was,  in  his  early  lite,  a  whig,  but  was 
among  the  founders  of  the  republican  party 
and  has  been  a  radical  republican  eversince, 
as  he  expresses  it,  "a  red  hot  re[iublican 
from  top  to  bottom."  he  has  always  been  a 
farmer  and  resides  with  his  good  wife  and 
daughter  upon  the  old  home  place  he  and 
she  have  made  pleasant  by  their  years  of 
industry  and  frugality.  When  he  first  came 
he  went  to  Danville,  III.,  and  Perrysville, 
Ind.,  to  mill,  and  made  fre(iuent  trips  to 
Chicago,  with  ox  teams  to  take  his  crop  to 
market  and  buy  groceries  and  family  sup- 
plies, taking  about  seventeen  days  for  the 
trip.  His  neighbors,  in  those  early  day.s, 
were  the  Wilsons,  Poage,  Moses  Thomas 
(his  brother-in-law),  and  Elias  Thomas.  In 
July,  1832,  Mr.  Butler  enlisted  in  Captain 
Brow'n's  company  of  United  States  regulars, 
(cavalry)  and  served  the  government  for 
one  year.  The  wages  paid  him  was  one 
dollar  perday,  finding  hisown  horse, clothes 
and  gun.  The  name  of  the  lirst  Lieutenant 
of  the  company  was  Fry.  Quite  a  number 
of  men  from  Champaign  county  enlisted  in 
the  same  ctnnpany,  but  Martin  Rinehart  and 
"Uncle  Tonnny"  Butler,  as  he  is  familiarly 
called,  are  tlie  only  survivois  of  the  boys 
who  represented  this  county  in  the  Black- 
hawk  war.  He  well  remembers  the  frost  of 
1829  that  killed  all  the  corn,  and  though  the 
farmers  replanted  it  the  crop  was  almost  a 
failure,  which  made  it  pretty  close  times 
for  a  while.  Mr.  Butler  was  a  small  man  in 
statm-e,  but  he  was  always  wiry,  active, 
lithe  and  plucky,  and  the  old  settlers  of  a 
larger  stature  say  he  could  swing  a  cradle 
with  any  of  them.  He  is  yet  healthy  and 
active,  and  evinces  as  much  life,  and  enjoys 
a  joke  or  a  good  .sfory  as  well  as  any  one. 


PIUNKERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


30 


Andrew  Lkwis 
Was  born  December  17,  ISOO,  in  Virginia. 
His  fatlier  was  James  Lewis  and  his  mother, 
Lavina  Langdon,  of  Kentucky.  In  1801,  An- 
drew was  taken  to  Rock  Castle  county,  Ken- 
tucky. Here  he  lived  until  he  was  about 
twenty-five,  when,  December  1, 1S25,  he  mar- 
ried Ellzabetii  Clark,  who  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  in  1803.  In  tlie  fall  of  1826,  he  and 
his  younji  wife  loaded  all  tlieir  effects  into 
a  wagon,  hitched  the  ox  team  of  the  young 
husliand  to  it,  then  jiut  the  mare  belonging 
to  his  wife  in  tlie  lead,  and  moved  to  a  point 
in  Indiana,  about  twenty  miles  south  of  In- 
diana|)olis,  wliere  they  resided  until  April 
is.'jf;,  when,  with  about  six  thousand  flollars, 
they  had  accumidated  by  thrift  and  industry, 
they  came  to  Urhana,  resided  here  about 
tinee  years.  During  this  time  he  was  im- 
proving the  farm  of  100  acres  lie  had  bought 
4}4  miles  south  of  the  city.  There  was  then 
only  two  houses  between  Urbana  and  Sid- 
ney. Those  were  the  houses  of  Mr.  Stid- 
ham  and  of  David  Silver.  He  increased 
his  jiossessions  from  time  to  time  and  now 
has4S0  acres  well  tile  drained  and  highly 
improved.  In  1H6'2  he  sold  the  two  crops  of 
corn  of  '(>\  and  '62  (that  of  '61  being  frost- 
bitten) amounting  to  over  2,000  bushels,  at 
VH>  cents  i)er  bushel.  He  never  put  amort- 
gage  on  any  part  of  his  land,  and  never 
went  in  debt  more  than  he  could  surely  pay. 
Ilis  son  Willis  was  killed  while  Hghting  un- 
der (irant  at  Fort  Donelson,  while  his  son 
Thomas  A.  Lewis,  (now  county  treasurer) 
lost  his  leg  in  the  war.  .John  M.  Lewis,  an- 
other son,  also  served  a  term  in  the  army, 
during  the  war.     He  was  a  whig  initil  the 


r(>i)v\blican  iiarty  was  born,  when  he  ioined 
that  party,  and  has  advocated  its  princi- 
])les,  and  voted  for  its  candidates,  loyally, 
up  to  the  jiresent  time.  Mr.  Lewis,  although 
in  his  ('ighty-sixth  year,  is  well  preserved 
and  enjoys  good  health.  He  bids  fair  to  live 
many  years  yet  to  enjoy  the  fortune  he  has 
accunndated  in  the  years  gone  by. 


James  Boyd 
Was  born  September,  10th,  1825,  in  Shelby 
county,  Kentucky.  His  father,  Stephen 
Boyd,  was  born  in  same  county.  (See  por- 
trait and  sketch  of  father  elsewhere  in  this 
issue.)  His  mother  was  J(nnima  Kitson, 
also  a  native  of  Kentucky.  James,  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  only  six  years  old  when 
he  came  to  this  county  in  November,  is:;i, 
with  his  father.  He  was  subjected  to  the 
hardships  of  pioneer  life  thus  early  in  his 
career,  and  made  of  him  that  hardy  and 
substantial  man  the  portrait  above  indicates. 
At  the  age  of  2i,  to-wit,  August  19,  1S47, 
young  James  married  Miss  Frances  Rhodes, 
who  shared  his  burdens  and  partook  of  his 
joys  initil  March  22,  18(54,  when  she  died. 
August  IT,  1864,  he  married  Mary  Aim  Col- 
lins; who  died  the  following  winter.  August 
.5,  18f)6,  he  married  Caroline  Turnipseed, 
who  is  his  present  wife.  Thus  he  was  mar- 
ried three  times  in  August.  His  children 
are  John  W.,  William  M.,  Jemima,  who 
married  M.  M.  Harry,  of  this  city;  Sarah, 
who  married  H.  Strover,  now  of  lilooming- 
ton,  111. ;  Anna,  Frank  and  Florence,  are 
living  at  home,  the  eldest  being  17 the  young- 
e.st  13  years  old.   Alfred,  Stephen  and  (Jeorge 


31 


I'lONEEltS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


are  dead.  James  received  early  impres- 
sions and  oiiucation  wiiicli  made  him  a  dem- 
ocrat until  lS5f..  He  says  lie  voted  for  James 
IJnciianan  in  lsr)0  and  shortly  afterward  sol- 
emnly declared  lie  would  never  vote  a  dem- 
ocratic ticket  ai^ain.  He  kept  his  word, 
votiiij;  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1^<(«0  and  in 
IHfil,  and  for  the  republican  candidates  ever 
since.  He  owns  a  well  iiAproved  farm  tliree 
miles  east  of  Urbaiia,  and  has  followed  "all 
his  life  his  present  occupation,  that  of  a 
farmer.  His  farm  is  clear  of  encumbrances 
and  he  owes  no  man  anything.  Like  his 
lather  before  him,  he  prides  himself  in 
keeping  his  contracts  to  the  letter,  thus 
building  up  the  reputation  he  has  among 
those  who  know  him  of  a  square  business 
man  and  good  citizen. 


Jamks  T.  liOE. 
Mr.  Roe  is  rememlwred  as  a  somewhat  ec- 
centric man  who  would  not  swajihis  opinion 
for  that  of  any  man.  He  was  born  in  Or- 
ange county.  New  York,  August  4,  1TI>:?,  and 
settled  in  Shelby  county,  Kentucky,  before 
coming  to Hlinois.  He  wasnianied  to Lillis 
IJusey,  daughter  of  Isaac  Busey,  the  pioneer 
of  Urbana,  June  19th,  1831,  in  Kentucky. 
Tiie  same  year  the  young  couple  came  to 
Illinois  and  purchasing  the  land  and  im- 
provement of  Unniiel  Fielder,  who  was  the 
l)ioneer  and  first  settler  of  this  county,  set- 
tled on  section  12,  Urbana,  now  owned  by 
Hate  Smith  At  that  time  the  main  road, 
east  and  west  through  the  country,  known  as 
the  Ft.  Clark  road,  because  it  led  from  the 
Indiana  line  to  Vt.  Clark  on  the  Illinois 
river  where  I'eoria   now  is,  led    through  his 


farm,  thence  north  of  the  Big  Grove,  cross- 
ing the  Sangamon,  at  Newcomb's  Ford,  and 
westward  by  Cheiie\'s  Grove.  On  this  route 
p;isseil  all  the  emigration  westward,  and  the 
only  mail  carried  into  or  through  the  county. 
Along  it  were  made  the  earliest  settlements 
of  the  county.  At  that  time  Urbana,  as  a 
town,  was  unknown,  as  was  also  this  county 
as  such,  for  our  territory  was  part  of  Ver- 
milion county.  Isaac  Busey  lived  in  a  cabin 
near  where  Ilalberstadt's  mill  now  stands, 
and  it  was  the  (mly  habitation  on  this  spot. 
A  few  scattered  settlers,  probably  not  over 
a  dozen  families,  were  ranged  around  the 
Big  Grove,  and  these  were  all  about  the  cen- 
tre of  the  county.  No  store  had  been  opened 
in  tlie  county — tlie  nearest  trading  poini  l)e- 
iiig  Danville.  As  soon  as  a  surplus  of  grain 
was  produced  it  was  hauled  by  ox  teams  to 
Chicago,  and  the  hogs  were  driven  to  Eu- 
gene or  Perrysville  for  market.  The  plows 
in  use  were  of  the  wo<Klen  monldboard  va- 
riety and  the  grain  was  gathered  with 
sickles  or  cradles.  Corn  was  i)l;inted  by 
dropping  and  covered  with  a  "jumper." 

]Mr.  Roe  laid  ott  four  additions  to  Urbana, 
built  s'everal  houses,  and  took  a  great  inter- 
est, while  ha  lived,  in  its  prosperity.  Al- 
though he  began  life  here  with  eighty  acres  he 
rai)idly  accumulated  and  when  he  closed  his 
business  preparatory  to  his  anticipated  death, 
he  had  near  nine  liundred  acres  of  the  linest 
land  in  the  county.  Mrs.  Roe,  after  being 
an  invalid  tor  m my  years,  confined  to  her 
bed  for  five  years,  died  in  November, 
1S60.  Hedied  Au>;ust23,  ISOO.  They  left 
two  sons  suiviving  them,  five  other  children 
having  preceded  them  to  the  silent  land. 
Isaac  Roe,  one  of  Urbana's  thrifty  anil  suc- 
cessful farmers,  married  Martha  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  our  townsman,  John  McDonald,  and 
lives  two  miles  east  of  town.  John  B.  Roe, 
the  other  survivor  of  the  family,  married 
Susan,  daughterof  George  Dilling,  and  lives 
in  Kansas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roe  were  Un\y 
tists  and  participated  in  the  organi/ati(ui  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Urbana,  the  cer- 
emony taking  place  in  a  lo;;  school  house 
near  their  home.  Mr.  Roe  was  a  democrat 
of  the  Jackson  type,  and  held  fast  to  his 
political  and  religious  faith,  unmixed  with 
the  taint  of  modern  lieresies.  His  opinions, 
as  he  accepted  them  in  his  younger  manhood, 
came  to  him  iron  clad  and  with  arguments 
I'.ir  their  support.  These argmiieiits  he  ever 
after  bore  with  him,  ready  to  tlo  defensive 
duty  at  any  time.  He  was  very  social  and 
loved  controversy  upon  the  tenets  of  his 
faith. 

The  use  of  good  whiskery  was  common 
among  people  of  every  position  in  Mr. 
Roe's  day,  and   lu>   never   lost  his  taste  for 


I'lONEEliS    OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


32 


tlie  article  which  he  continued  to  use,  in 
moderation,  asoue  of  God's  ,ii;it'ts,  to  the  last. 
No  one  ever  saw  hiin  the  worse  for  this  in- 
dulgence. So  with  tobacco.  He  was  a  con- 
stant user  of  this  article,  but  not  so  temper- 
ate as  with  spirits.  His  excesses  with  to- 
bacco adnionislunl  liis  sons  of  the  folly  of 
the  habit,  and,  heedingthe  admonition,  they 
are  both  entirely  free  from  its  use  a.s  well  as 
teetotalers. 


George  W.  FlyNxV, 
Whose  familiar  features  are  to  be  seen  in 
our  gallery  of  old  settlers,  was  born  at  Bain- 
bridge,  Chenango  county.  New  York,  Au- 
gust-ioth,  1828.  His  father,  Rufus  Flynn, 
was  a  native  of  Duchess  county,  although  of 
Irish  extraction;  his  mother,  Sylvia  Ann 
(Owens)  Flyini,  was  a  native  of  Bainbridge, 
but  of  Welsh  extraction. 

niS    BOYHOOD. 

For  a  consideralile  pei'iod  of  his  boyhood 
George  lived  with  his  grandfather  Owens  on 
a  farm,  and  lememhers  with  keen  regaid 
the  oft-repeated  admonitions  of  the  old  Pu- 
ritan, always  emi>hasized  and  made  appreci- 
able by  a  free  application  of  the  rod,  for 
this  incestor  of  Mr.  Flyiui  believed,  with 
Solomon,  most  heartily  that  "He  that  spar- 
eth  the  rod  spoileth  the  child."  Mr.  Flynn 
MOW  believes  that  if  he  was  ever  sjjoiled  the 
damage  is  due  to  some  other  cause.  The 
parents  of  Mr.  Flyim  were  poor  and  unable 
to  give  him  opportunities  for  education  ex- 
cept such  as  were  alforded  by  the  conunon 
schools  of  that  day.  Early  in  life  he  became 
inured  to  a  life  of  labor  and  self-denial. 
The  discipline  given  him  in  this  school  of 
adversity  begot   iu  him  a  self-reliance  and 


determination  that  has  made  him  equal  to 
every  emergency  in  life.  In  his  younger 
days  when  his  living  depended  upon  his 
success  in  linding  employment,  he  never 
found  it  necessary  to  be  idle.  If  an  employ- 
ment he  sought  was  not  at  hantl,  he  could 
do  something  else,  and  few  were  the  days 
spent  by  him  while  out  of  work.  Mr.  Flynn 
is  by  trade  a  printer,  having  learned  that 
trade  as  an  apprentice,  lirst  in  the  office  of 
the  Journal,  at  Norwich,  N.  Y.,  and  lastly 
in  the  office  of  the  Democratic  Advocate  at 
Warren,  Pa.,  before  1849,  and  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  that  pur- 
suit. 

In  18.50,  his  mother  anil  two  brothers 
having  already  gone  west  and  settled  at 
Peru,  in  this  state,  he  determined  to  seek 
his  fortune  in  the  west.  He  went  by  boat 
down  the  Alleghany  and  Ohio  rivers  to  Cairo 
thence  by  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers 
to  Peru,  where  he  joined  his  family.  In 
May  of  that  year  one  brother,  with  Mr. 
Flynn,  started  for  Wisconsin  to  find  that 
fortune  which  is  supposed  to  await  all  who 
"go  west."  Not  linding  the  appearance  of 
matters  there  what  they  had  hoped,  they 
soon  returned  to  Peru,  only  to  find  that  their 
mother,  alarmed  at  the  piesence  of  the 
cholera  in  that  section,  luul  started  upon  her 
return  east  by  way  of  a  canal  packet  to  Chi- 
cago, thence  to  go  around  the  lakes  to  Penn- 
sylvania. The  scourge  followed  the  lone 
mother  and  before  she  reached  Chicago  she 
was  dead,  having  fallen  among  strangers 
and  received  a  stranger's  sepulture.  Mr. 
Flynn  soon  separated  from  bis  brother  and 
from  that  day  to  this  has  not  known  the 
fellowship  of  his  kindred  except  of  the  fam- 
ily he  has  raised.  After  spending  most  of 
the  intervening  time  in  the  northern  part  of 
this  state  and  Indiana,  he  arrived  at  Urbana 
iu  the  fall  of  18.52,  attracted  here  by  the 
prospect  of  employment  held  out  by  the 
construction  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad. 
He  soon  took  work  under  John  and  James 
S.  Gere,  assisting  in  getting  out  ties  for  that 
road.  Afterwards  he  was,  for  a  considera- 
ble time,  a  clerk  in  the  provision  store  of  H. 
M.  Russell. 

AS  PKINTEK  AND  PUBLISHEK. 

In  September,  18.55,  he  again  took  his 
place  in  a  printing  office,  having  bought  out 
the  interest  of  G.  N.  Richards  in  the  Urbana 
Union,  which,  as  one  of  the  firm  of  Cun- 
ningham &  Flynn,  he  contuiued  to  publish 
until  August,  18,58,  when  the  concern  was 
sold  to  the  Crandalls.  Upon  his  return  from 
the  army  in  October,  18()4,  Mr.  Flynn  and  G. 
N.  Richards,  above  alluded  to,  a  fellow  offi- 
cer in  the  3.5th  Illinois  regiment,  purchased 
tiie  Ga/.ette,  then  published  at  Urbana,  and 


33 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


togetlier  continued  its  publication  until  1866, 
when  Mr.  Flynn  bought  out  the  interest  of 
his  partner  and  contiiuied  this  publication 
until  the  spring  of  ISfis,  when  he  sold  an 
interest  to  George  Scroggs.  Tiiis  relation 
continued  until  1S72,  when  Mr.  Flynn  sold 
his  interest  in  the  Gazette  to  his  partner, 
giving  his  time  and  attention  to  a  job  office 
and  bindery  in  Urbana.  In  1S74  this  estab- 
lishment was  removed  to  Danville  and  form- 
ed the  nucleus  for  tlie  Illinois  Printing 
Company,  an  organization  formed  for  the 
business  of  county  and  commercial  printing 
and  binding.  Of  this  corporation  Mr.  Flynn 
was  made  president  and  general  manager, 
which  position  he  has  continued  to  hold  to 
tills  time.  In  this  position  his  business  tal- 
ent, energy  and  mental  resources  have  shone 
most  conspicuously.  The  business  of  the 
house  has  been  vastly  expaniled  and  ex- 
tended to  other  states,  its  credit  meanwhile 
never  being  allowed  to  suffer  in  the  least. 
For  twelve  years  he  has  stood  at  the  helm  of 
atfairs  directing  with  almost  unerring  judg- 
ment the  great  interests  entrusted  to  him. 

HIS   SOCIAL   K?:i.ATIONS. 

When  Mr.  Flynn  came  to  Urbana  in  18.52, 
he  severed  his  associations  with  kindred 
and  friends  and  sought  his  associates  among 
strangers.  There  lived  in  Urbana  at  that 
time  the  family  of  Daniel  Jarvis,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  consisting  of  the  parents,  a 
son  and  four  daughters,  the  latter  being  in- 
telligent and  attractive  young  ladies.  To 
one  of  these,  Tennessee,  a  young  lady  then 
in  her  teens,  Mr.  Flynn  became  warmly  at- 
tached; the  attachment  being  mutual  ripen- 
ed into  an  ardent  love  match  in  the  fall  of 
18.>4.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  two 
daughters,  Carrie  and  Lennie.  Those  living 
here  in  the  spring  of  1858  will  remember  the 
alnu)st  tragic  ileath  of  Mrs.  Flynn.  Left  in 
the  morning  with  her  infant,  then  but  a  few 
days  old,  in  care  of  a  nurse  by  her  husband 
who,  as  usual,  went  to  the  printing  office, 
believing  her  to  be  convalescent,  before 
noon,  and  before  his  retvun,  she  was  a 
corpse.  The  shock  staggered  and  almost 
crazed  the  strong  man.  The  children  then 
bereft  are  both  dead— Lennie  dying  when 
about  fourteen,  in  Urbana,  and  Carrie  when 
a  mature  woman  in  Danville.  In  the  fall  of 
1H.W  Mr.  Flynn  again  married,  this  time  to 
Miss  Belle  Garrett,  a  native  of  Indiana. 
Mrs.  Flynn  has  been  a  careful  and  affec- 
tionate mother,  both  to  the  children  of  the 
lirst  family  and  to  her  own  children  of  whom 
there  have  been  born:  Jessie  H.,  married  to 
George  W.  Gott',  of  the  News  editorial  staff, 
Danville;  Nora  li.,  Charlie  M.,  George  W. 
(deceased),  Jay  C.  and  Lena  A.  lli' is  now 
estahlislied   in  a  comfortable  home  in   Dan- 


ville, to  which  he  loves  to  retire  when  his 
daily  work  is  done  and  which  his  strong  do- 
mestic attachments  leads  him  to  appreciate. 
Mr.  Flynn  for  many  years  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  nuisonic  oriler,  in  which  he  has 
passed  to  very  high  preferments. 

ARMY  LIFK. 

The  first  hostile  gun  of  the  civil  war 
aroused  the  patriotism  of  Mr.  Flynn,  then  a 
young  man  of  32  years,  and  he  at  once  ten- 
dered his  services  and  soon  went  to  the 
front.  In  August  1861  he  w<is  mustered  in 
as  first  lieutenant  Company  K,  2.5th  Rear.  111. 
Vol.,  and  at  once  met  a  hostile  foe.  Our 
space  is  too  short  to  permit  such  details  of 
his  army  life  as  the  record  deserves.  Dur- 
ing the  first  year  he  was  i)romoted  to  the 
position  of  adjutant  of  his  regiment,  serving 
also  much  of  the  time  upon  the  brigade  staff'. 
In  18f)4,  upon  the  expiration  of  his  three 
years'  term,  he  was  honorably  discharged 
and  returned  to  his  family  and  to  civil  par- 
suits.  During  his  term  he  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Seige  of  Corinth, 
Perrysville,  Stone  River,  Chicamauga, 
Peach  Tree  Ci-eek,  and  several  other  lesser 
battles.  He  was  prevented  by  illness  from 
participating  with  his  regiment  in  the  battle 
of  Mission  Ridge,  but  witnessed  the  hero- 
ism of  his  conuades  from  the  hospital  at 
Chattanooga.  He  retired  from  the  army 
nnich  broken  in  health  and  has  suffered 
since  then  severely  from  the  deleterious  ef- 
fects of  army  life. 

PERSONAL  CHARACTERISTICS. 

As  all  well  know  who  know  or  have  known 
Mr.  Flynn  in  his  mature  years,  he  is  an  ar- 
dent and  true  friend  to  those  whom  he  loves 
and  an  intense  and  uncompromising  hater 
to  those  whom  he  hates.  In  his  friends  he 
rarely  sees  or  admits  of  faults;  in  his  ene- 
mies, or  those  whom  he  dislikes  he  as  rarely 
sees  or  admits  of  any  good  qualities;  yet 
when  convinced  of  error  he  is  ever  ready  to 
acknowledge  and  correct  it.  As  a  soldier  he 
was  brave  and  true  to  every  tluty.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  first  a  democrat  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Franklin  Pierce,  but  next  for  Fre- 
mont and  ever  since  for  republican  candi- 
dates. He  held  the  office  of  deputy  sheriff' 
under  Capt.  \.  M.  Clark,  oiu'  of  the  earlier 
of  our  republican  sheriffs. 


PIONEERS  OF  VHAMPAION  COUNT r. 


34 


provided  for  by  their  joint  labors  during  his 
life,  and  beloved  by  all  who  have  ever  had 
the  i)l('asiire  of  seeing  her  at  her  pleasant 
home. 


Thomas  Alexaxdkh  Davidson. 
Mr.  Davidson  was  born  December  1st,  1810, 
in  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia.  His  pa- 
rents were  John  Davidson  and  Sarah  McCrea, 
who  removed  to  Madison  county,  Ohio,  in 
181(1,  and  lived  there  until  they  died.  Thom- 
as A.  came  to  this  county  from  Madison 
county,  Ohio,  in  18.5:^,  and  settled  on  what  is 
known  as  tlie  Bryan  farm,  one  mile  east  of 
Mahomet  (now  owned  by  B.  F.  Harris).  He 
resided  there  two  years  and  kept  "Tavern." 
He  then  bought  the  farui  between  that  and 
the  farm  of  Wiley  Davis.  He  was  married 
in  1841  to  Elizabeth  J.  Sidner,  who  still  sur- 
vives him.  The  chiklren  of  this  marriage 
were:  Mary  E.,  wife  of  T.  J.  Scott,  of  Ma- 
homet; James  W.,  now  of  Champaign;  John 
S.,  (who  died  at  the  uge  of  IT) ;  Jerome  T., 
(engaged  in  grain  business  at  Mahomet) ; 
Geo.  W.,  of  Champaign ;  Frank  C,  of  Clin- 
ton, 111.;  Ida  L.,  (wife  of  Jul.  D.  Brown  of 
Mahomet) ;  Sarah  K..  (wife  of  L.  M.  Duck- 
er  of  Peoria,  111.,)  and  Anna,  who  died  in 
infancy.  He  was  formerly  a  Presbyterian, 
but  after  coming  to  Illinois  he  ioined  the 
M.  E.  church,  and  remained  a  consistent  and 
faithful  member  of  that  church  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  January  31st,  1880, 
fronj  an  injury  received  about  eight  months 
prior  to  his  death.  He  was  always  a  strong 
republican  anil  educated  liis  boys  all  in  the 
principles  of  that  |iarty.  They  are  all  stal- 
wart republicans,  James  W.  being  the  re- 
publican caiididiite  for  county  treasurer  at 
the  coming  election  this  fall.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  succeeded  admirably  in  that  line 
of  business,  ^[r.  Davidson  was  a  man  of 
character  and  none  were  more  highly  res- 
pected than  he  by  all  who  knew  him.  His 
surviving  widow  still  lives  in  Mahomet,  well 


John  C.  Denton 
Was  born  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  August 
21,  1822.  His  father,  John  F.  Denton,  was  a 
native  of  New  York.  His  mother  was  Martha 
Needier,  from  Bedford  county,  Pa.  John  C. 
Denton,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to 
this  county,  March  14,  18.51,  and  settled  at 
Urbana.  He  was  married  at  Berlin,  Som- 
erset county.  Pa.,  July  20,  1847,  to  Lucinda 
Johnson,  only  daughter  of  John  Johnson,  a 
prominent  contractor  and  builder  of  Berlin. 
She  is  still  living.  Ida,  their  eldest  daugh- 
ter, married  William  Bell,  of  Atchison,  Kan- 
sas ;  Emma  married  George  Besorc,  a  prom- 
inent business  man  of  this  city.  William  H, 
is  in  the  mining  business  in  Old  Mexico, 
Charles  is  yardmaster  at  Urbana,  for  I.,  B. 
&  W.  railroad,  and  Josephine,  the  youngest, 
married  Wm.  Nichols,  passenger  conductor 
on  I.,  B.  ct  W.  railroad.  He  and  his  wife 
have  been  members  of  the  M.  E.  church,  in 
this  city,  for  thirty-five  years.  Mr.  Denton 
learned  the  carpenter  trade  when  young,  and 
has  followed  that  business  all  his  life.  For 
many  years  he  has  been  an  extensive  builder 
and  contractor  in  tiiis  city.  He  has  built 
thirty-eight  school  houses  in  this  county,  in 
the  v>ast  twenty  years.  Many  of  the  finest 
residences,  as  well  as  the  most  substantial 
business  houses  of  this  city,  are  the  residt 
of  his  handiwork.  Good  natured,  straight 
forward  and  honest,  he  has  many  friends 
and  has  the  confidence  of  the  entire  commu- 
nity. 


35 


PIUNKEltS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Col,.  MATTirEW  W.  Busey. 
Prominent  among  the  pioneers  of  Cham- 
paign county  was  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
He  came  from  a  state  that  lias  furnished 
more  pioneers  to  the  west  than  any  other. 
As  a  rule  they  were  men  who  left  their  im- 
press upon  their  times.  Genial  and  hospita- 
ble, their  homes  were  open  to  all  who  chose 
to  enter.  They  were  lovers  of  fine  stock, 
and  the  position  that  Illinois  now  occupies 
as  the  first  state  in  the  Union  for  fine  breeds 
of  cattle  and  horses,  is  due  in  a  very  large 
measure  to  the  efforts  of  the  Kentuckians. 
Having  an  unlifnited  confidence  in  the  fu- 
ture of  tiie  great  west  they  invested  largely 
in  lands  and  often  in  this  direction,  builded 
more  wisely  than  they  knew.  Of  such  was 
Col.  Matthew  W.  Busey.  lie  was  born  in 
Shelby  county,  Ky.,  May  15, 1798.  He  was 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  Catharine  (Seigler) 
Busey.  At  an  early  date  the  family  moved 
to  Washington  county,  Indiana.  In  the  lat- 
ter county  young  Busey  learned  the  trade 
of  brick  mason,  and  followed  the  trade, 
working  as  a  "jour."  and  subsecjuently  as  a 
contractor  and  builder  from  isw  to  1S47.  In 
ISW  he  was  induced  to  visit  this  i)art  of 
Illinois  from  hearing  reports  of  the  fertility 
and  proiluctiveness  of  the  soil.  His  visit 
and  subs(!(juent  investigations  confirmed  the 
reports  and  before  returning  he  purchased 
the  land,  on  part  of  which,  now  stands  the 
residence  of  his  son,  Col.  S.  T.  B.usey.  He 
returned  to  Indiana  and  remained  there  im- 
til  the  spring,  April,  ISSft,  when  he  brought 
his  family  here  and  erected  a  small  fnuiie 
house,  which  was  in  later  years  enlarged, 
and  which  stooil  on  the  sit<?  now  occupied 
bvtlic  clt'trant  residence  of  Col.  S.  '1\  Husey. 


It  remained  there  until  a  few  years  ago 
when  it  gave  way  to  the  irresistible  march 
of  progress  and  wt^stern  civilization.  Soon 
after  his  arrival  here,  he  became  prominent 
and  influential  in  local  afl'airs.  He  was  com- 
missioned as  Colonel  in  the  Indiana  state 
militia,  while  a  resident  of  that  state,  and  in 
a  few  years  after  his  airival  here  was  ap- 
pointed to  a  similar  position  in  the  state 
militia  of  Illinois.  On  "General  Muster" 
day  he  was  a  conspicuous  figure  and  shone 
resplendent  in  glittering  uniform,  that  we 
have  no  doubt  made  him  envied  by  not  a 
few.  In  1840  he  was  elected  to  represent 
the  district  in  the  state  legislature,  and  in 
1842,  was  his  own  successor.  He  served  two 
terms.  In  the  latter  term  occurred  the 
Mormon  war.  Col.  Busey  was  heartily  in 
sympathy  and  radical  accord  with  Gov.  Ford 
in  his  efforts  to  drive  that  latter  day  religious 
infamy  from  the  state,  and  voted  for  all 
measures  having  that  object  in  view.  His 
extensive  acciuaintance  throughout  the  state, 
acquired  while  a  member  of  the  legislature, 
made  his  services  invaluable  in  securing 
the  charter  for  the  Illinois  Central  railroad. 
He  foresaw  what  few  others  did  at  that  time, 
that  the  construction  and  operation  of  this 
great  railroad  through  the  center  of  the 
state,  from  north  to  south  would  be  of  incal- 
culable benefit  to  it  in  the  near  future. 
While  the  state  i>roi)osed  to  give  it  millions, 
yet  it  would  bring  millions  to  the  coffers  of 
the  state.  No  grant  of  land  was  ever  made 
to  any  railroad  in  the  United  States  that  was 
more  magnificent  in  proportions,  and  none 
was  ever  made  that  guarded  more  care- 
fully the  interests  of  the  iieople,  and  pro- 
vided more  shrewdly  for  its  covering  back 
into  the  treasury  of  the  state.  During  the 
excitement  attending  the  location  of  the 
county  seat.  Col.  Busey  was  active  and 
mainly  instrumental  in  securing  it  for  Ur- 
bana.  He  was  for  many  years  assessor  for 
the  county  and  township.  In  fact,  he  was 
the  leading  and  representative  man  of  this 
section  for  many  years.  In  the  meantime 
he  gave  a  great  deal  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion to  his  farm  and  his  lands,  and  raising 
and  breeding  stock.  His  life  wasa  busy  one. 
and  was  not  without  its  rewards.  He  died 
in  185-3,  esteemed  and  respected  by  a  large 
circle  of  friends  and  ac(iuaintances.  While 
yet  a  resident  of  Wasliin^ton  county,  Indi- 
ana, he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliz- 
abetii  Bush,  who  survived  him  twenty-eight 
years,  and  died  in  18so.  at  the  home  of  her 
son,  Col.  S.  T.  Busey.  By  that  union  there 
were  eight  children  who  arrived  at  matmity 
and  all  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Their  names 
are  Simi'on  H.,  John  S.,  Mary  C,  wife  of 
John  C.  Kirkpatrick,   Louisa  J.,  widow  of 


PJONKERS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


36 


W.  II.  Komiiie,  Col.  Samuel  T.,  Sarah,  wife 
of  Jud.^e  J.  W.  Sim,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Al- 
len McClain,  and  Matfiiew  I).  All  are  resi- 
dents of  Ih-bana  and  vicinity,  except  Jolin 
S.,  who  resides  in  Medicine  Lodge,  Kansas. 
Col.  Mattiiew  W.  Busey  was  liberal  in  his 
religious  belief.  He  subscribed  to  none  of 
the  formulated  creeds  and  believed  that  gen- 
uine and  true  religion  was  mainly  in  the 
practice  of  doing  unto  otliers  as  he  would 
have  others  do  unto  him.  Politically,  he 
was  an  ardent  democrat.  His  first  vote  was 
cast  for  Jauies  Monroe  in  IS'20.  In  18'J4, 
18'3s  and  l^Si,  lie  voted  for  Andrew  Jackson, 
and  during  the  remainder  of  his  life  quoted 
him  as  his  highest  political  authority. 


James  W.  Somers 

Was  bom  early  in  the  thirties,  at  Mt.  Airy, 
Surrey  county,  North  Carolina,  and  is  a  son 
of  Dr.  Winston  Somers  anil  Mrs.  Mary  Som- 
ers. Before  he  was  ten  years  old  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Illinois  and  located  at 
Urbana,  and  here  his  boyhood,  youth  and 
early  manhood  were  spent.  The  advantages 
he  had  in  that  eariy  day  for  the  foundation 
of  what  was  afterward  a  thorougli  education 
can  be  apureciated  l)etter  by  reference  to  the 
biography  of  his  father,  Dr.  Winston  Som- 
ers, which  appears  elsewhere.  His  occupa- 
tion for  the  lirst  few  years  after  his  arrival, 
were  those  of  the  boy  of  this  locality  and  of 
that  day— ojiening  a  new  jnairie  farm  and 
hunting  jn-airie  chickens  in  suuuner,  unfet- 
tered by  game  laws,  and  attending  a  short 
term  of  school  in  winter.  Mr.  Somers  re- 
members with   lively  interest  this  portion  of 


his  life,  and  particularly  his  training  under 
the  eccentric  Samuel  C.  Crane,  who  taught 
the  pioneer  school  of  Urbana  for  some  time. 
As  he  advanced  in  his  years  and  yearned  for 
knowledge  beyond  his  reach  at  home,  his 
father  consented  to  allow  him  to  attend  the 
Danville  Seminary  for  some  time,  which  he 
did.  The  school  at  that  time,  in  the  absence 
of  our  efficient  common  school  system  in  the 
state,  nourished  under  the  superintendency 
of  the  M.  E.  church,  anil  attracted  to  its  classes 
many  of  the  youth  of  both  sexes,  of  the  sur- 
rounding country.  Here  his  time  was  well 
spent  for  he  advanced  rapidly  in  his  studies 
and  evinced  decided  literary  tastes.  These 
advantages  were  supplemented  by  addition- 
al opportunities  enjoyed  by  him  at  the  Indi- 
ana Asbury  (now  De  Pauw)  University,  at 
Greeucastle,  Ind.  About  18.54  he  began  the 
study  of  the  law  in  the  office  of  his  uncle. 
Judge  W.  D.  Somers,  continuing,  however, 
his  classical  and  literary  studies  under  the 
direction  of  Rev.  Dr.  Janes,  a  local  educator 
of  excellent  standing.  He  subsequently 
took  a  course  of  training  at  the  Union  Col- 
lege of  law,  Chicago,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1856.  A  partnership  was  formed 
by  him  with  his  tutor,  luider  the  firm  name 
of  W.  D.  &  J.  W.  Somers,  and  the  court 
records  of  that  day  attest  the  success  of  the 
firm.  At  that  time  the  lamented  .1  udge  Da- 
vid Davis  was  on  the  bench  and  at  the  bar 
were  such  men  as  Lincoln,  Swett,  O.  L  Da- 
vis, Ficklin  and  others  who  have  long  since 
been  recognized  as  legal  and  political  lights. 
With  these  the  young  attorney  was  often 
engaged,  winning  their  high  regard. 

He  was  prominent,  aiitive  and  alert  as  a  lo- 
cal temperance  worker.  In  those  days  Urbana 
managed  to  live  and  flourish  without  parti- 
cipating in  the  profits  of  the  rum  tratic  and 
the  advocates  of  the  system,  now  upheld  by 
law,  for  the  demoralization  of  society,  writh- 
ed under  the  scorching  eloquence  of  the 
young  advocate.  The  establishment  of  the 
Urbana  Union,  the  pioneer  newspaper,  was 
heartily  welcomed  by  all,  but  by  none  more 
than  by  Mr.  Somers.  It  was  to  him  an 
event  of  great  opportunities  and  its  columns 
show  that  he  was  a  welcome  and  frequent 
contributor  to  it.  During  the  war  he  was 
the  Washington  correspondent  of  the  North 
We.stern  Christian  Advocate,  furnishing  al- 
ways readable,  and  many  times,  very  im- 
portant articles.  One  of  which  was  deemed 
of  such  historical  value  as  to  be  copied  in 
whole  in  that  important  historical  W'Ork 
"ratriotism  of  Illinois."  Tlie  family  of  Mr. 
Somers,  before  18.5(1  were  earnest  whigs,  and 
such  were  his  leanings.  The  observations 
and  associations  of  the  young  politician,  in 
his  youth,  surrounded  by  slaves  and  slavery, 


37 


PIONEERS  OF  VJlAMPAiaX  COUXTl'. 


had  begotten  in  him  an  intense  hatred  of  tlie 
system.  Consequently  he  entered  with  en- 
thusiasm and  deep  convictions  into  the  move- 
ment set  on  foot  for  its  limitation  and  re- 
striction. In  1856  he  assisted  in  the  forma- 
tion of  the  republican  party,  signing  the 
lirst  call  looking  to  the  local  crystalization 
.  of  all  the  elements  opposed  to  "popular  sov- 
ereignty." During  the  Fremont  campaign 
of  18.50,  as  well  as  in  the  Lincoln  and  Doug- 
las campaigns  of  ia58  and  1860  he  was  a  very 
active  and  influential  worker  on  the  side  of 
republicanism,  the  spirit  of  which  was  sucii 
as  to  arouse  to  the  highest  enthusiasm,  young 
men  of  conscience  and  ability.  He  filled  the 
position  of  corresponding  secretary  of  the 
county  central  committee  of  the  young  par- 
ty, for  several  years,  and  his  services  were 
often  called  for  upon  the  stump  of  this  and 
other  counties.  Acting  as  he  did  from  the 
profoundest  convictions  of  right,  and  being 
possessed  of  a  lively  imagination  enriched 
by  nmch  reading  and  study  of  his  subject, 
he  gave  promise  of  great  success  as  a  polit- 
ical and  legal  debater.  An  unfortunate  and 
growing  infirmity  in  his  liearing  put  a  stop 
to  the  full  realization  of  the  anticipations  of 
his  friends,  making  it  necessary  for  him  to 
seek  other  emplojTnent.  The  election  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  presidency  opened  to  liim 
another  field  of  preferment  which  proved 
his  life  work.  The  president,  who  had  known 
him  from  his  boyhood  and  admired  his  tal- 
ents and  courage,  appointed  him  to  a  posi- 
tion in  the  Department  of  the  Interior, 
which  with  his  successive  promotions  there- 
from he  has  held  through  all  the  changes  of 
administration  since  then.  Having  been  ap- 
jKiintcd  in  l^Gl,  he  recently  celebrated  the 
25th  anniversary  of  his  official  life— a  thing 
'iuite  extraordinary  in  American  politics. 
He  lias  risen  from  grade  to  grade  until  now 
he  occupies  the  position  of  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Review  in  the  pension  office— a 
(piasi-judicial  position  for  whicli  his  legal 
education  well  fits  him.  No  claim  filed  in 
the  office  can  be  finally  adjudicated  until  it 
shall    have   been   approved   by  this  board. 

Mr.  Somers  was  married  at  Indianapolis, 
January  1,  18(W,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Eddy, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Augustus  Eddy,  a  jiromi- 
nent  and  jiioneer  preacher  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  and  a  sister  of  Rev.  T.  M.  Eddy,  D. 
D.,  late  of  Chicago.  Mrs.  Somers  is  a  lady 
of  rare  culture  and  ability  and  holds  a  high 
social  position  in  the  society  of  the  Ameri- 
can capitol.  For  many  years  she  has  been 
princi|)al  of  Mt.  Vernon  Seminary,  in  Wash- 
ington City,  and  as  such  has  contributed 
largely  to  the  adornment  and  formation  of 
the  characters  of  the  first  young  ladies  of 
the  land.  'I'o  her  iiiastic  hands  are  sul)initted 


the  daughters  of  cabinet  and  foreign  min  is- 
ters,  senators  and  representatives,  and  all 
go  away  blessing  the  gentle  and  cultured 
woman  who  imparts  her  spirit  and  graces  so 
successfully  to  her  pupils.  In  188'2  Mr.  Som- 
ers made  a  European  tour  for  the  improve- 
ment of  his  health  and  for  observation,  and 
returned  having  grown  strong  physically, 
and  profited  largely  by  his  habit  of  keen  ob- 
servation. By  prudence  and  economy  in 
life  Mr.  Somers  has  accumulated  a  handsome 
competence  for  coining  old  age  and  owns 
and  enjoys  a  handsome  home  in  Washing- 
ton, the  most  beautiful  city  on  the  continent. 
This  home  is  the  centre  of  a  refined  circle 
of  society,  and  to  it  he  and  Mrs.  Somers  de- 
light in  making  welcome  their  friends,  and 
especially  those  from  his  boyhood  liome. 


my.  ^ 


MosKS  D.  Hakvky 
Was  born  November  27,  1820,  in  U  nion  coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania.  He  removed  to  Stark 
county,  Oliio,  in  infancy  and  came  to  Urbana, 
Illinois,  in  October,  188<».  Ho  married  Olive 
Towner,  October,  .5,  1842.  He  resided  in  the 
city  of  Urbana  until  18.56,  when  he  removed 
to  a  farm  near  Mahomet,  where  he  follow- 
ed farming  until  186.5,  when  he  returned  to 
Urbffna.  In  18S2  he  removed  to  Tolono,  his 
present  home,  where  he  is  carrying  on  the 
leading  meat  market  of  that  enterprising 
town.  Mr.  Harvey,  in  company  witli  his 
brother,  Williams,  built  the  first  frame  court 
house  of  ("liiiinpaign  county,  in  I'lbana,  and 
helped  to  build  the  old  log  jail  that  kept,  se- 
curely the  old  law-breakers  of  our  pioneer 
days.  He  assisted  in  building  nearly  all  of 
the  early  <lwelliiigs  and   business  buildings 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


38 


of  Urbana.  lie  sold  the  rtrst  meat  out  of  a 
wagon  in  the  city  of  Ciianipaign.  Rufus  A. 
Harvey,  his  eldest  son,  is  one  of  the  must 
successful  of  the  mercantile  men  of  this 
county,  and  is  doing  business  in  Tolono. 
Silas  M.,  his  second  son,  is  also  a  successful 
business  man  in  Kansas.  Celinda,  eldest 
daughter,  married  James  S.  McCullough, 
county  clerk.  The  other  children  are  Clif- 
ton W.,  William,  Libbie  and  Celia.  Mr. 
Harvey  has  never  sought  public  office  nor 
taken  any  active  pait  in  politics,  but  has 
been  and  is  now  a  democrat.  He  has  been 
engaged  in  business  in  this  county  for  47 
years,  and  his  business  integrity  has  been 
such  as  to  win  the  conlidence  of  his  neigh- 
bors. His  word  has  always  been  regarded 
as  good  as  his  bond,  and  when  Moses  D. 
Harvey  agreed  to  perform  any  work  or  pay 
any  money,  it  was  counted  as  done  when  the 
time  for  performance  arrived.  He  now  re- 
sides in  a  pleasant  home,  in  this  city,  where 
he  will  i  doubtless  end  his  days,  wliich  we 
trust  nuiy  be  extended  for  yet  a  long  period 
of  time. 


Wallace  Silveu 
Was  horn  May  30,  1SJ9,  at  Springfield,  War- 
ren county,  Ohio.  He  is  the  son  of  David 
Silver,  (whose  portrait  and  biography  aj)- 
pears  elsewhere)  and  Eliza  Muuger,  a  native 
of  New  York.  David  Silver  and  family 
moved  to  this  comity  from  Warren  county, 
Ohio,  in  1S54,  Wallace  coming  with  them. 
They  settled  on  section  twenty-six,  Urbana 
township.  The  father  moved  back  to 
Ohio  and  died  there  in  IS7.5,  the  mother 
having  died  here  in  1«(V1     Wallace  was  mar- 


ried to  Rebecca  B.  Mullen  in  April  1850. 
His  oldest  son,  Howard,  is  a  teacher  at 
Springfield,  Missouri,  while  his  second  son, 
Charles  W.,  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business,  at  Lyons,  Kansas.  Mr.  Silver  gave 
both  these  boys  a  good  education  and  they 
are  very  successful  in  their  chosen  callings. 
Wallace  was  married  the  second  time  in  No- 
vember, isflt),  to  Mary  D.  Karr,  his  present 
wife,  who  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  has 
borne  him  (me  child,  David  A.,  born  in  1S67, 
who  yet  resides  at  home.  Wallace  cast  his 
first  vote  in  1852,  for  Winfield  Scott,  his  sec- 
ond for  Fremont,  in  1856,  and  has  voted  the 
republican  ticket  ever  since.  He  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  near 
the  old  home  farm,  ever  since  he  bought  land 
in  1857.  He  still  resides  there  and  is  recogniz 
ed  as  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  the  county. 
His  health  has  not  been  good  for  some  years, 
but  we  trust  there  are  many  more  years  to 
be  added  to  his  life  by  a  kind  Providence. 


Ifi 

Geof.ge  Wilson 
Was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland  in  1800. 
His  father  was  George  Wilson  and  his 
mother's  maiden  name  Jane  Mosgrove. 
George,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to 
Illinois  in  1834  and  settled  near  Fairmcmnt, 
Vermilion  county,  and  in  1854  removed  to  a 
farm  north  of  Sidney.  In  1848  he  married 
Rebecca  Nox  (sister  of  Solomon  Nox,  who 
resides  east  of  this  city).  She  died  in  18.54. 
He  afterwards  married  Elizabeth  Kuder 
(sister  of  I.  M.  Kuder,  of  St.  Joseph)  who  is 
also  deceased.     Fourteen  years  ago  he  mar- 


39 


PIUXEEUS  OF  VHAMPAiaX  CUUXTY. 


riod  Mary  Burnett,  who  is  still  livinj?.  His 
eldest  son  Martin  V.  B.,  resides  near  Sidney. 
His  other  ohildren  are  George,  W.  C,  Free- 
man, Sarah  J.  (who  married  Kiciiard  Tracy, 
of  Sidney),  Rose,  Ann,  Emeline  and  Caro- 
line, who  reside  at  home.  Formerly  Mr. 
Wilson  was  a  Presbyterian,  but  for  many 
years  has  been  of  the  Quaker  or  Friends' 
faith,  rolitically  he  has  always  been  and  is 
now  an  earnest  democrat.  He  has  followed 
farming  all  his  life.  When  he  came  to  this 
county  and  for  many  years  the  Indians  were 
still  here  and  he  has  made  many  trips  by 
wason  to  Chicago  with  grain  and  brought 
back  the  entire  proceeds  in  groceries  which 
he  would  i»urcliase  there.  He  made  it  in 
fourteen  days  and  sometimes  made  two  trips 
in  one  year.  Mr.  Wilson,  though  now  eighty 
years  old,  is  well  preserved,  and  bids  fair 
to  lengthen  out  his  days  to  far  beyond  the 
allotted  time  of  man. 


^^''[:  MSl£WliMi/M. 


Jamks  Johnson 
Was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  Nov.  2.5, 
182.5.  His  father,  Charles  Johnson,  and 
Anna,  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Scott,  gave  him  a  good  common  school  ed- 
ucation. January  22,  1S52,  he  married  Miss 
Nancy  Lilly,  a  native  of  Warren  county, 
who  came  with  him  in  is.5.5  to  this  county. 
Tiiey  settletl  on  s(;ction  live,  in  I'liilo  town- 
ship, and  they  both  have  resided  there  until 
the  prestuit.  (ieorge  M.,  their  son.  now  re- 
sides in  DeWitt  county,  Illinois.  ()liv<>,  the 
oldest  daughter,  a  lovely  and  accomplished 
young  lady,  died  in  isso  at  the  age  of  twen- 
ty. Their  other  daughter,  Anna,  is  now  the 
wife  of  Mr.  Otis  I'ercival.  who  also  resides 


in  Philo  tovniship.  Mi-.  Johnson  takes  no 
active  part  in  politics,  but  has  generally 
voted  the  democratic  ticket  when  the  candi- 
date suited  him.  He  held  the  office  of  high- 
way commissioner  of  Philo  township  for 
fifteen  years  and  helped  lay  out  about  all 
the  roads  in  Philo  township. 

In  1856  a  prairie  fire  .started  at  the  Wa- 
bash railroad  and  came  sweeping  towards 
his  home,  and  at  one  time  threatened  the 
destruction  of  his  house  and  his  primitive 
hay-thatched  barn,  together  with  what  little 
stock  he  then  had  in  it.  Mrs.  Johnson  took 
her  children  to  a  piece  of  plow.?d  ground 
n°ar  by  and  bravely  assisted  Mr.  Elk  ins  and 
others  who  came  to  her  relief,  in  fighting 
the  destructive  element  from  their  then 
modest  possessions.  He  has  engaged  solely 
in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  a 
splendidly  improved  farm  of  240  acres  with 
a  good,  substantial  house  and  barn.  He  has 
laid  on  this  farm  in  the  past  six  years  over 
six  miles  of  tile.  He  has  most  of  his  farm 
in  grass,  and  believes  there  is  more  money 
in  grass,  hay  and  stock  than  in  corn.  He 
keeps  the  best  breeds  of  stock,  and  by  his 
long  life  of  industry  and  toil  has  earned  the 
right  to  take  things  easy  in  his  old  age,  as  he 
intends  to  do  for  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
which  we  trust  may  compass  many  years  of 
solid  comfort. 


Km    ll.M.lJKHSTADT. 

This  staunch  business  man  was  born  Sep- 
tember 1.5,  18:20.  His  father,  Peter  Halber- 
stadt,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1M2.  His 
mother,  Susana  Catherine  Mans,  was  a  nuMu- 
ber  of  the  German  Keformed  church.  Her 
father  and  graiulfafher  were  both  soldiers 
in  the  war  of  1N12.     Both  of  his  pixrents  were 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


40 


born  in  Pennsylvania.  Eli  Halberstadt  came 
to  this  county,  November  s,  1S5;">,  and  settled 
at  Urbana.    He  was  married  October  29tli, 
184:2,  in  Hanover.  Pa.,   to  Rebecca  Legore, 
who  is  still  living.    They  were  married  by 
the  Rev.  J.  Henry  Albert.  Following  are  their 
children:    Frances,  wife  of    A.   Schilling, 
Urbana;  David  B.,  now  in  Washington,  D.C. ; 
George  H.,  now  residing  in  Urbana;  Susan 
Catherine,  wife  of  Hon.  W.  A.  Day,  second 
auditor  of  the  treasury,  and  Douglas  Eli, 
now  a  ganger  in  the  United  States  service, 
Mr.  Halberstadt,  in  his  youth,  joined  the 
German  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  re- 
mained a  member  until  18.5;^,  when  he  joined 
the  M.  E.  church  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio. 
He  is  still  a  consistent  and  faithful  member 
of  that  church.    In  politics,   he  was  in  his 
early  maturity,  an  old  line  whig.    In  1860, 
he  voted  for  Stepiien  A.  Douglas  and  has 
been    a   democrat   ever   since.     He   never 
souglit   office,    but   the  citizens  of   Urbana 
called  him  to  serve  them  for  four  terms  in 
the  office  of   mayor,    in    which    position  he 
exeicised  the  same  conscientious  care  and 
ability  which  he  has  always  shown  in  the 
transaction  of  his  own  extensive  business, 
lb'  was  a  member,  and  afterwards  successor 
of  the  firm  of  Bradshaw,  Williams  &  Co., 
grocers.    He   sold  out  to   Mr.   Jenks   and 
bought  back  the  same  business,  February  1, 
186.3,  and  sold  again  to  Mr.  Jenks  in  1865. 
He  then  built  a  grain  warehouse  and  in  1866 
-7  put  in  milling  machinery,  and  from  that 
time  until  the  present,  has  done  the  leading 
milling  business  in  the  county.    In  1884,  at 
large  expense,  he  put  in  entirely  new  and 
modern  machinery  tor  the  patent  process 
in  the  manufacture  of  flour.    His  establish- 
ment,   known   far   and  wide   as  the  Union 
Mills,  is  valued  at  .'(?;i."),0(X),  and  is  not  excelled 
in  Central  Illinois.    His  flour  is  shipped  to 
all  parts  of  the  state,  and  his  brands  of  flour 
are  recognized   as  among  the  best  that  are 
niatle.    Mr.   Halberstadt  is  a  man  of  strong 
convictions  and  will  power  and  is  not  easily 
moved  from  a  position  once  taken.    In  bus- 
iness he  is  the  soul  of  honor  and  he  has  little 
patience  with  men  who  are  careless  about 
complynig  with  their  contracts. 


r'V/ivvvv 


t':-:^:'''-'' 


MOURIS  LOW'ENSTERN 

Was  born  July  28, 1836,  in  the  province  of 
Hanover,  Germany.  His  father  was  Phillip 
Lowenstern  and  his  mother  was  Malie  Isen- 
berg,who  died  in  1841.  Morris.with  his  family, 
including  his  father  and  sister,  came  to 
America  in  18.57,  and  to  Urbana,  August  1.5, 
1864.  His  father  died  at  Urbana  in  1871,  at  an 
advanced  age,  and  was  buried  in  the  Hebrew 
cemetery,  just  north  of  this  city.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Caroline  Jericho,  who  was 
born  in  Bavaria,  in  1840,  and  is  still  living. 
His  children  are :  Monroe,  twenty-one  years 
old,  who  is  now  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
which  his  father  is  the  head ;  Amanda,  19 
years  old,  his  eldest  daughter,  who  gradu- 
ated f lom  the  Urbana  high  school  in  1884, 
and  is  now  pursuing  the  study  of  music  in 
its  higher  departments,  being  already  a 
splendid  performer  on  the  piano;  Jennie, 
sixteen  years  old,  clerks  in  the  store  of  the 
firm  and  is  thoroughly  posted  in  the  science 
of  book-keeping;  Belle,  the  youngest, 
daughter,  14  years  old,  is  attending  the  Ur- 
bana school.  Politically,  Mr.  Lowenstern 
is  an  Independent,  voting  for  the  men  he 
prefers  on  whatever  ticket  they  may  be. 
He  has  been  in  the  dry  goods  business  since 
\>^'A,  in  this  city.  In  1881,  lie  added  to  his 
large  dry  goods  stock  a  department  of  cloth- 
ing. He  owns  the  large  three  story  double 
buiUUng  on  southwest  corner  of  Main  and 
Race  streets,  and  occupies  the  two  large, 
commfHlious  store  rooms  of  first  floor,  with 
his  stock  of  dry  goods  and  clothing.  With 
one  exception  he  is  the  oldest  merciiant  in 
business  in  the  city.  Mr.  Lowenstern,  from 
the  first,  took  a  lively  interest  in  building 


41 


PTOXKHUS   OF  CHAMPAJGX  COVXTY. 


lip  the  city,  and  bought  the  block  lie  now 
occupies,  ill  1865.  He  has  purchased  HO  feet 
just  west  of  his  block  and  intcmls  in  th(> 
near  future  to  erect  tliereon  a  good  liottd 
building.  He  is  always  ready  to  take  stock 
in  anythin;;:  that  will  help  to  build  up  the 
city  as  h;us  been  proven  by  his  assistance  in 
every  enterprise  started  here  since  he  has 
been  a  resident.  He  resides  in  a  larj^e  block 
on  West  Elm  street,  where  he  has  a  neat 
and  convenient  dwelling,  which  he  lias  im- 
proved from  time  to  time  until  it  is  one  of 
tlie  most  comfortable  houses  in  the  city. 
Mr.  Lowenstern,  by  sciuare  dealing  and 
strict  attention  to  business,  has  built  up  a 
permanent  trade,  many  of  his  .-ustomers 
having  been  <lealiiig  with  him  over  since  he 
commenced  business  here,  in  l'~!()4.  His 
trade  is  steadily  increasing  and  liis  store  is 
one  of  the  mostp()])ular  ilry  goods  and  cloth- 
ing emiH)riums  in  the  county. 


Wir.LIAM  D.   SOMKltS. 

'I'his  genth'inan,  who  was  the  tirst  lawyer 
in  Champaign  county,  was  boru  near  llock- 
ford,  Surrey  county.  North  Carolina,  .Janu- 
ary ;il,  Psi'i.  His  earlier  lite  was  spent  on  a 
farm,  and  as  soon  as  old  enough  he  was  en- 
gaged every  summer  in  assisting  in  its  cul- 
tivalidii.  Dining  the  winter  iiioiiths  he  at- 
tended school.  The  schools  in  which  he  re- 
ceived his  education  were  of  liie  most  prim- 
itives chariicter:  spelling,  reading,  writing 
and  arithmetic  were  the  only  branches 
taught  therein.  Mr.  Somers  made  go(»d 
progress  in  all  these  studies,  but  was  espe- 
cially prolicient  in  )ienmanship.     His  school 


education  terminated  with  a  winter's  school- 
ing under  the  tutelage  of  T.  J.  Ward,  after- 
wards a  congressman  from  Mississippi. 
►Such  were  the  opportunities  which  Mr, 
Somers  had  in  his  boyhood  days  for  laying 
the  foundation  for  an  education  which  plac- 
ed liini,  in  later  years,  in  the  front  rank  of 
the  learned  profession  of  law  in  the  stat«  of 
Illinois.  When  si.xteen  years  old  he  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  liis  good  motlier, 
leaving  his  father,  himself,  four  younger 
sons  and  a  daughter.  Caroline  W.,  three 
years  old,  who  married  Thomas  ,J.  Williams, 
a  worthy  young  man  of  the  county.  Some 
inontlis  after  his  motlier's  death  ^fajor  .Joe. 
Williams,  brother  of  Hon.  Lewis  Williams 
(member  of  congress  so  long  as  to  be  called 
the  father  of  the  house)  induced  his  father 
to  permit  young  William  to  make  his  home 
in  his  family  and  assist  him  in  the  clerk's 
otlice,  a  positinn  iield  by  his  father,  Joe.  Wil- 
liams Sr.,  who  years  before  had  purchased 
the  franchise  (office)  from  .Jesse  Benton, 
brother  of  Thomas  Benton.  .Jesse  Benton 
had  before  ttien  piuchased  it  from  the  orig- 
inal grantee  who  derived  title  by  letters  pat- 
ent from  the  king  of  Great  Britian.  Major 
Williams  and  family  were  regarded  as  ecpial 
in  point  of  wealth,  learning  and  aristocracy 
to  any  family  in  the  state.  He  had  an  ex- 
tensive private  library  equal  in  every  respect 
to  any  which  Mr.  Somers  ever  saw  even  in 
his  later  years.  To  this  splendid  library  ami 
to  tlie  kind  assistance  of  Major  Williams  he 
owes  that  fondness  for  rea<ling  which  has 
characterized  Mr.  Somers  all  liis  life.  He 
remained  with  Major  Williams  for  about 
seven  years,  the  last  two  of  which  he  devot- 
ed all  his  leisure  time  to  the  study  of  medi- 
cine under  the  direction  and  instruction  of 
Dr.  Martin.  The  lirst  election  by  the  people 
for  clerk  of  the  county  and  circuit  courts  re- 
sulted in  the  election  of  Col.  Armstrong  as 
clerk  of  the  county  court  and  Mr.  Somers' 
brother  Winston,  as  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court.  Mr.  Somers  being  familiar  with  the 
duties  of  these  offices,  continued  to  assist  or 
rather  to  superintend  both  offices,  devoting 
his  leisuri*  hours  meanwhile  to  the  study  of 
medicine.  During  this  period  he  \ras  ap- 
l)ointed  by  the  legislature  justice  of  ttie 
jieace  of  the  county,  a  position  which  there 
was  one  of  considerable  responsibility.  He 
then  passed  the  e.\aminatioii  which  the  law 
reipiired  and  was  admitted  to  the  practice  ot 
medicine,  as  was  also  his  brother  Winston, 
and  for  two  years  they  practiced  in  partner- 
ship at  Ilockford,  N.  C.  OctobiM-  15,  1S40, 
with  a  letter  of  recominendation  and  iutro- 
duction  he  started  for  Illinois,  arriving  in 
Urbana  November  I5tli,  ami  on  the  arrival 
of  his  brother  they  continued  the  practice  of 


PIONh:t]nS  OF  VHAMPAJnX  COUNTY. 


42 


medicine  Jiere.  October  14tli,  184.3,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Catlieriiie  T'.  Carson,  wlio  is 
still  living.  In  tlie  spring  of  l.S4(i,  under 
tlie  instruction  of  tlie  late  Judge  David 
Davis,  of  Bloom ington,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  law  and  in  November  of  that  year 
Judges  Treat  and  Piuple  awarded  him  a  li- 
cense to  practice  law.  He  was  appointed 
local  attorney  for  the  Illinois  Central  rail- 
road company  in  is.5.5,  a  position  lie  held  for 
many  years.  During  the  rebellion  he  serveil 
the  township  of  Urbana  as  supervisor  and 
luid  the  care  of  the  fannlies  of  dependent 
soldiers  of  the  township  during  their  ab- 
sence in  the  army.  He  acted  with  the  whig 
party  until  is.59.  when  upon  its  decease  he 
joined  the  ranks  of  the  democracy,  and  has 
in  national  elections  voted  steadily  with  it. 
In  186'3  he  was  nominated  by  the  democratic 
party  for  state  senator,  but  was  defeated. 
His  children  are  Pauline,  wife  of  George  W. 
C\ntiss,  now  residing  in  Peoria;  Ella,  who 
UKirried  W.  T.  Sutton,  of  East  Saginaw, 
Michigan;  Mollie,  who  married  Charles 
A.  Besore,  a  lumber  merchant  of  tins 
city;  Cora,  who  married  G.  W.  Bort, 
and  Charley,  who  reside  in  this  city.  Mr. 
Somers  was  the  first  resident  lawyer  in  this 
county  and  for  nrany  years  was  at  the  head 
of  the  profession.  During  his  later  years 
the  lawyers  delighted  to  refer  to  him  as  the 
"Nestor  of  the  Champaign  County  Bar,"  an 
appellation  he  well  deserved.  He  has  met 
in  his  legal  contests  the  greatest  lawyers  in 
the  country,  and  was  very  successful.  Such 
men  as  Abraham  Lincoln,  Leonard  Swett, 
O.  B.  Ficklin  and  other  distinguished  law- 
yers have  crossed  swords  with  him  with  re- 
sults not  to  Ids  discredit.  He  was  associat- 
ed with  these  men  in  many  cases.  His  in- 
fluence over  juries  was  such  that  he  rarely 
failed  to  obtain  a  successful  result.  The  el- 
0(pience  and  pathos  with  which  he  swayed 
them,  in  cases  where  opportunity  offered, 
won  the  admiration  of  those  who  have  be- 
come famous  in  the  Nation.  "His  knowledge 
of  the  law  too,  enabled  him  to  maintain  his 
su])remacy  in  the  courts  before  the  judges  as 
well  as  before  juries.  He  introduced  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  to  the  first  audience  he  ever 
addressed  in  this  county,  and  was  on  inti- 
mate t<?rms  with  him  for  many  years.  Mr. 
Somers  has  retiivd  from  practice  on  account 
of  advancing  years,  but  he  is  enjoyhig  reas- 
onably good  healtii  and  evinces  tlie  same 
spirit  of  iiKiiiiry  and  investigation  that  made 
him  distinguished  among  his  fellows  when 
ill  his  ])riine.  He  is  now,  as  he  has  always 
been,  an  incessant  reader  and  no  man  is  bet- 
ter posted  than  he  upon  the  current  events 
of  the  world.  He  is  comfortably  situated 
and  bids  fair  to  enjoy  his  i)leasant  siirround- 
iuirs  for  many  years. 


Thomas  K.  Leal 
Was  born  at  Stamford,  Delaware  county,  N. 
Y.,  July  4,  1829.  His  father  was  Dr.  J.  H. 
Leal  and  his  mother  Mary  McLaurie.  They 
both  died  while  Thomas  K.  was  young.  He 
went  to  the  district  school  and  received  a 
higher  education  at  Hobart  academy  in  Del- 
aware county.  New  York.  Here  he  was  the 
schoolmate  of  Jay  Gould,  who  at  the  time 
manifested  an  ability  in  figures,  especially 
in  "addition,"'  which  has  characterized  him 
in  after  life;  he  could  readily  carry  three 
columns  of  figures  up  at  a  time.  Here,  also, 
he  was  associated  with  the  Turner  Brotliers, 
who  built  the  L,  B.  &  W.  R'y  through  this 
city,  as  well  as  the  Anderson  Brotliers,  mil- 
lionaires now  in  New  York  City.  These 
were  all  orphan  boys,  who  have  made  their 
way  to  iimneuse  wealth,  and  distinction  in 
the  business  world  by  their  own  efforts.  Mr. 
Leal,  although  as  proficient  as  Jay  GouUl  in 
figures  at  that  time,  has  not  been  as  success- 
ful as  he  in  "addition"  during  his  later  life. 
As  he  expresses  it,  "he  was  poor  then,  and 
has  held  his  own  with  wonderful  success." 
Mr.  Leal  came  to  this  county  in  18.5'J,  and 
settled  at  Urbana.  He  was  married  in  Jan- 
uary, IstJl,  to  Emeline  (iordon,  a  native  of 
Oswego,  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leal 
had  four  bright  and  lovely  children  in  18(')S, 
when  diphtheria  in  its  most  malignant  toriu 
attacked  first  one  and  then  another  until  it 
had  taken  to  the  other  shore  the  entire  fam- 
ily of  children  that  had  been  so  great  a 
source  of  comfort  to  the  worthy  parents  for 
the  few  years  prior  thereto.  They  all  died 
within  31  days  in  September,  18()S.  They 
now  have,  born  since  then,  fcnir  more,  named 


43 


PIONEEHS  OF  CHAMPAION  COUNTY. 


respectively,   Mamie,    Kosa,    Sopliie    and 
Grace. 

Mr.  Leal  and  wife  have  been  faithlul  and 
active  members  of  tlie  Presbyterian   fliurcii 
for  thirty  years.    He  has  been  a  reimblican 
ever  since  the  party  has  been  organized.    In 
Coles  county,  in  Bourbon  township,  (now  a 
part  of  Douglas  county)  Mr.  Leal  was  teach- 
ing .school  in  tiie  fall  of  isr)(>;  he  was  the 
oidy  republican  in  tiie  townsliip.    He  voted 
for  Fremont,  wliile  the  other  vote  was  di- 
vided l)etween  Fillmore  and  Buchanan.    He 
taught  school  in  New  York  and  afterwards 
engaged  in  same  occupation  here.  He  was  su- 
perintendent of  schools  from  1S.57  to  1^*78,  and 
was  member  of  the  state  board  of  education 
for  six  years.     He  organized  the  first  teach- 
ers' institutes  in  Champaign,  Macon,  Coles, 
Douglas,  Effingham,  Ford,  Piatt,  Vermilion 
and  Iroquois  counties,  and  took  a  leading 
position  in    the  educational  affairs  of  his 
adopted  state.    When  he  commenced  visit- 
ing schools  there  were  only  two  bridges  in 
the   county    and    only    forty-eight    school 
houses,   twenty-seven   of  which   were    log 
houses.    When  he  retired  there  were  over 
two  hundred  school  houses,  all  good,  mod- 
ern ones.    He  had  hard  work  to  introduce 
blackboards  into  the  schools,  frequently  put- 
ting them  in  at  his  own  expense  in  order  to 
get   the  boards  of  directors  to  try  them. 
There  were  no  maps,  globes  or  other  appa- 
ratus except  at  Urbana.    When  he  retired 
in  1873  he  published  a  pamphlet  giving  a 
history  of  the  schools  of  the  county  that  had 
thus  grown  up  inider  his  supervision.    The 
suggestions   to  teachers  therein  contained 
are  fully  abreast  of  the  times  to-day,  and 
they  have  in  fact  been  carried  out  almost  to 
the  letter.    To  Mr.  Leal  more  than  to  any 
other  man  are  we,  as  a  people,  indebted  for 
the  splendid  schools  of  which  this  county 
justly  boasts.    He  was  also  appointed  drain- 
age commissioner  and  during  his  term  col- 
lected about  837,000.00  on  swamp  land  ac- 
count that  many  had  charged  was  sunk   in 
building  the  court  house.    He  holds  the  re- 
ceipts of   school    treasurers  for  this  large 
sum,  much  of  which  would  never  have  been 
collected  but  for  his  efforts.    In  188.5  his  re- 
port as  sanitary  inspei-tor  of  this  city  was 
l)ublished  in  all  tlie  metropolitan   papers  by 
the  Stat«  Board  of  Health  as  a  model  report, 
showing  the  thorough  maimer  in  wliicli  Mr. 
Leal  always  responded  to  a  call  for  the  piil>- 
lic  good. 

Mr.  Leal,  in  187.5,  commenced  farming  on 
a  farm  lie  owns  near  Sidney,  in  wiiich  busi- 
ness he  i.s  still  successfully  engaged,  but  the 
record  he  has  left  as  the  frieiwl  of  education 

and  as  a  con.scientious  and  hard  worker  in 
its  ciiiise,  will  cause  liiiii  to  be  rememberetl 
long  after  he  has  passe«l  away. 


WlI.LIAM   H.    SOMERS. 

Mr.  Somers  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this 
county,  having,  with  his  parents,  removed 
from  his  native  state,  North  Carolina,  in  the 
fall  of  184'i,  locating  in  Urbana.  He  here 
engaged  with  his  brothers,  James,  John  and 
Joseph,  in  farming,— his  father.  Dr.  Win- 
ston Somers,  working  with  them  when  not 
called  away  to  visit  patients;  this  happened 
frequently,  and  many  a  time  he  would  be 
kept  away  for  several  days.  The  doctor  was 
anxious  to  give  his  boys  a  good  education 
and  utilized  every  opportunity  so  to  do.  Wil- 
liam H.  was  ambitious  in  tiiat  direction  and 
the  result  was,  by  working  hard  in  the  sum- 
mer, he  enjoyed  the  high  privilege  of  going 
to  school  in  the  winter.  He  thus  obtained 
not  only  a  gooil  common  school  education, 
but  he  also  attended  tiie  M.  E.  Seminary,  at 
Danville,  presided  over  by  Oliver  S.  Munsell, 
and  got  considerable  knowledge  of  Greek, 
Latin'and  other  higher  branches.  At  the  close 
of  his  school  days,  he,  with  liis  father,  and 
his  brother  James,  engaged  in  the  drug  busi- 
ness in  Urbana.  He  was  marrieil  to  Mi.ss 
Hattie  L.  Mead,  in  August,  18.5f»,  at  Urbana, 
who  died  at  Beatrice.  Nebraska,  in  June, 
187(5,  mourned,  not  (mly  by  her  husband  and 
children,  but  by  hosts  of  warm  friends, 
made  here  and  in  her  new  home,  by  her  gen- 
tle disposition  and  self-sacrilicing  labors  in 
life.  Of  this  marriage  four  children  were 
born  to  him,  viz:  Frank  M.,  Julia  Mae, 
Eddie  W.,  (who  died  in  18C)7)  and  Elbert  S. 
He  was  married  again,  in  Lincoln,  Neb.,  in 
1878,  t«  Miss  Sadie  S.  Hawley,  his  present 
wife,  who  is  a  native  of  Oliio,  as  was  also 
his  tirst  wif«'.    Two  ciiildien  have  been  born 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPARiN  COUNTY. 


44 


by  this  marriage,  one  of  whom,  the  eldest, 
William  H.,  died  in  January,  1885;  the  other, 
a  daughter,  is  now  three  and  a  half  years  olil. 
In  1856,  Fielding  L.  Scott  and  Elisha  Hark- 
ness,  warm  friends  of  his,  surprised  him  by 
soliciting  him  to  become  a  candidate  for  cir- 
cuit clerk.    He  ran  and  was  elected  as  a  re- 
publican, on  the  ticket  headed  by  John  C. 
Fremont,  under  the  banner  of  "Free  press, 
free  speech,  and  free  soil."    He  was  reelect- 
ed in  1860,  on  the  ticket  headed  by  Abraham 
Lincoln.    He  made  a  splendid  officer,  affa- 
ble gentlemanly,  and  at  the  same  time  attent- 
ive to  the  business  of  the  people.    He  was 
then  electetl  as  supervisor  from  Urbana.  He 
had,  prior  to  being  elected  clerk,  studied 
law  with  his  uncle,  W.  D.  Somers,  and  at- 
it'uded  law  school  in  Chicago.    He  gave  up 
tlie  practice,  however,  in  18(i8,  and  with  his 
father  as  partner  engaged  in  the  banking 
business   in  Urbana   and  subsequently    in 
Leroy,  111.,  altogether  about  live  years,  until 
the  death  of  his  father, when  he  closed  uo  the 
business  and  in  1872  removed,  with  his  fam- 
ily, on  account  of  his  wife's  poor  health,  to 
Beatrice,  Nebraska,  where  he  has  resided 
for  fourteen  years.    There   he  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business  until  his  appoint- 
ment, in  1881,  by  president  Garfield,  to  the 
office  of  lieceiver  of  the  United  States  laud 
office,  at  Ueatriee.    He  was  succeeded  June 
Kith  1886,  by  a  tlemocrat  appointed  by  presi- 
dent Cleveland.    He  was  electetl  to  the  Ne- 
braska legislature,  in  1875,  and  served  one 
term.  He  was  also  agent  for  the  Burlington 
and  Missouri  River  Railroad  Company  for 
several  years,  for  tlie  sale  of  their  lands   in 
(iage   and   adjoining   counties.    For  three 
years  he  was  immigration  agent  for  the  coun- 
ty of  (iage.  Neb.    He  was  active  and  suc- 
cessful   in   this    position    and  by  judicious 
efforts  he  was  instrumental  in  inducing  large 
immigiation  to  southeastern  Nebraska  and 
in  building  up  the  city   of  Beatrice.    He 
wrote  the  centennial  history  of  Gage  county 
in  1876,  as  a  part  of  his  efforts  in  advertising 
the  great  advantages  of  the  country  as  pecu- 
liarly adapted  to  farming  and  stock  raising. 
Jiast  month  he  removed  to  San  Diego,  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  now  owns  a  large  vineyard 
and  fruit  ranch,  and  is  engaged  in  making 
raisins  and  growing  fruits  for  market.    He 
has  been  interested  in  the  temperance  woik 
all  of  his  mature  life,  and  has  given  his  best 
efforts  in  that  cause.     His  many  friends  in 
this  county,  as  well  as  in  Gage  county,  wish 
him   long    life  and    prosperity  in  liis    new 
home.    He  well  deserves  the  neat  little  for- 
tinie  he  has  carved  out  by  his  own  abilities 
and  industry. 


Zachakiah  E,  (till 

Was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Kentucky,  May 
1st,  1829.  His  father  was  Bede  Gill  and  his 
mother  was  Eliza  Edlin,  of  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky. Z.  E.  Gill  came  to  this  county  in 
18.52,  and  settled  at  Urbana.  He  was  mar- 
ried first  at  Jeft'ersonville,  Indiana,  in  18,5:5, 
to  Nancy  Mariah  Porter,  (since  deceased). 
His  second  wife  was  Hannah  C.  Wolfe,  of 
Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  whom  he  married  at 
Urbana,  December  4, 18,57.  His  children  are 
Mrs.  Nellie  Hogg,  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri, 
and  Rudolph  Z.  Gill,  residing  at  Urbana.  He 
died  August  10,  1884,  at  LTrbana.  At  time  of 
death  he  had  been  for  twenty-six  years  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  churcii,  and  was  a  reg- 
ular attendant  at  divine  service  during  all 
those  years.  In  politics  Mr.  Gill  was  a  dem- 
ocrat, though  lie  was  not  much  inclined  to 
politics.  He  was  left  an  orphan  at  tlie  age 
of  fourteen  years  and  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources;  he  soon  after  went  to  learn  the 
carpenter's  trade  which  he  followeil  for 
many  years  in  connection  witii  contracting 
and  designing.  In  boyhood,  even,  he  sought 
moral  associates  and  amusements,  and  grew, 
naturally,  into  a  conscientious,  iiome-ioving 
and  kind-liearted  man.  He  built  the  round 
house  of  the  I.,  B.  &  W.  railroad,  as  well  as 
their  freiglit  houses  ahmg  the  line.  He 
was  the  builder  of  several  of  tlie  tinest 
blocks  in  the  city  of  Urbana.  For  several 
years  he  was  also  engaged  in  the  hardwaic 
business.  He  was  correct  in  his  business 
and  social  habits,  and  took  a  deep  interest 
in  the  improvement  of  tlie  city.  Wliiie  a 
consistent  and  faithful  meml)er  of  tiie  cluiroli 


45 


f/(Ji\'fJfc'K»'   OF  CHAMFAION  COUNTY 


for  so  many  years,  yet  he  was  unassuming 
in  his  professions  and  pointed  out  the  path- 
way of  duty  by  traveling  tliere  throiigii  life. 
His  (ieatli,  two  years  ago,  was  one  of  tlie 
greatest  losses  this  connnunity  has  beeh 
called  upon  to  bear  for  many  years.  Such 
men  as  Z.  E.  Gill  are  the  salt  of  tlie  earth. 


TiioMsox  Rhodes  Wkbber. 

Thomson  Rhodes  Webber  was  born  in 
Shelby  county,  Ky.,  October  6,  1807.  He 
was  of  German  extraction  on  his  father's 
side.  He  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  18 
children,  of  whom  three  surviving  reside  in 
this  city,  viz:  William  H.  Webber,  George 
G.  Webber  and  Mrs.  Nancy  Munliall.  He 
was  twice  married.  To  his  hrst;wife,  i  Miss 
Martha  Thompson,  of  Shelby  county.  Ky., 
in  1K81.  In  1.S.37  his  tirst  wife  died  and  he 
married  in  1838  Miss  Anna  B.  Carson,  of 
this  county,  whose  death  preceded  iiis  sev- 
eral years.  He  had  three  children,  Joseph 
T.,  Wm.  13.  Webber,  a  promnient  lawyer  of 
this  city,  and  Mrs.  Susan  Blaydes,  by  his 
iirst  wife,  and  two,  surviving,  Robert  A. 
Webber,  of  this  city,  and  James  H.  Webber, 
now  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  by  his  second 
wife. 

Mr.  Webber's  political  inlluencc  was  iden- 
tilied  witli  the  (lemocratic  party.  He  cast  his 
Iirst  vote  for  General  Jackson  for  liis  second 
term  and  on  all  national  (juestious  he  was  a 
supporter  of  democratic  princi))les.  lie 
heartily  supported  the  candidacy  of  Horace 
Greeley.  He  enjoyed  for  many  Tyears  the 
confidence  and  friendsliip  of  Abraiiam  Lin- 
coln and  Senator  David  Davis. 


Few  men  in  this  country  have  presided  in 
as  many  official  capacities  torso  long  a  term 
and  with  the  united  resjiect  of  all  who  knew 
him,  as  Mr.  Webber.  He  was  the  hrst  post- 
master in  the  comity  and  in  this  city.  Ui> 
on  the  organization  of  the  county  he  was 
elected  clerk  of  both  courts  and  continued 
in  that  official  capacity  as  county  clerk  30 
jears,  and  circuit  clerk  for  27  years.  For  ' 
forty  years  he  acted  as  master  in  chancery, 
and  was  succeeded  by  M.  W.  Mathews  in 
August,  1873.  And  when  he  retired  from 
each  of  these  offices  lie  did  it  with  the  re- 
spect and  good  will  of  every  one. 

in  1847  he  was  elected  to  represent  Ver- 
milion, Champaign,  Piatt  and  Coles  coun- 
ties in  the  constitutional  convention  of  that 
year  and  in  1863  he  represented  in  a  similar 
convention  the  counties  of  Champaign, 
Piatt,  DeWitt  and  Macon.  The  constitution 
prepared  by  the  latter  convention  was  re- 
jected by  the  people,  when  put  to  a  vote,  ami 
hence  the  names  of  its  tramers  did  not  re- 
ceive the  perpetuity  that  they  otherwise 
would  have  received. 

He  died  at  his  residence,  south  of  the  city, 
Wednesday,  Dec^'mber  14, 1881,  in  the  7.5th 
year  of  his  age. 

In  considering  the  life  and  character  of 
such  a  man  tliere  aHvays  arises  a  curiosity 
to  know  his  religious  belief.  From  one  who 
was  familiar  with  his  lite  we  learn  that  he 
was  never  guilty  of  deriding  th()se  who  pro- 
fessed religion.  He  believed  in  and  prac- 
ticed the  principles  of  Christianity;  enter- 
tained the  highest  respect  for  the  opinions 
of  ministers  of  the  gospel  and  other  advo- 
cates of  the  Christian  religion.  But  he 
tlumght  every  man  had  a  right  to  worship 
God  in  his  own  way,  and  that  a  i)erson  could 
be  religious  without  having  his  name  in- 
scribed as  a  memljer  upon  any  church  rec- 
ord. 

True  it  is  that,  regardless  of  the  frailties 
of  the  human  family,  Mr.  Webber  lived  an 
exemplary  life.  He  possessed  such  a  (juiet 
dignity  of  manner  and  kindness  of  heart 
that  made  friends  of  acquaintances,  and 
even  the  little  barefooted  ami  brown-facetl 
boy  was  the  recipient  of  his  daily  smile  and 
greeting.  He  N^ill  live  long  in  the  memo- 
ires  of  tho.se  who  survive  him. 


PIUNEt^HS  OF  VHAMfAlUN  COUNTY. 


46 


Ebknkezer  Warren  Parker 
Was  born  October  28,  1813,  at  Princeton, 
Massachusetts.  His  father  was  Ebeneezer 
Parker  and  his  motlier  was  Miss  Hannah 
Myriclis.  Mr.  Parker  came  to  this  county 
April  14, 18.56,  and  settled  upon  the  farm  in 
Philo  township  now  occupied  by  him.  He 
was  married  in  1840  at  Holden,  Mass.,  to 
Miss  Chloe  A.  Parmenter,  who  was  born  in 
1810,  and  is  still  living.  She  was  highly  ed- 
ucated and  has  a  well-stored  mind,  being 
yet,  as  she  has  always  been,  a  great  reader 
and  vigorous  thinker.  She  has  a  literary 
turn  of  mind  and  is  familiar  with  the  princi- 
pal authors  of  this  as  well  as  of  the  old 
world.  Their  cliildren  are:  Ebeneezer  Cal- 
vin, born  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  a  banker  and 
physician  at  Philo,  111. ;  Mary  Adeline,  who 
married  Pasciial  P.  Park  man,  now  deceased, 
and  Louise,  a  young  lady,  residing  at  home 
with  lier  parents.  Mr.  Parker  united  with 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  1838,  at  Worcest- 
er, Mass.  He  was  in  his  earlier  years  of 
manhood  an  old  line  whig  and  was  a  radical 
abolitionist  from  the  first  of  slavery  agita- 
tion in  this  country,  and  naturally  joined  the 
ranks  of  tlie  republican  party  luider  the  ban- 
ner of  Fremont  and  Lincoln,  and  he  is  to- 
day as  strong  in  the  republican  faith  as  ever. 
He  was  a  republican  from  principle,  as  he 
never  sought  office  of  any  kind.  He  has  led 
a  quiet  life  on  the  farm  ever  since  arriving 
in  Illinois.  He  and  his  accomplished  part- 
ner live  on  the  old  home  place  that  they 
have  sjilendidly  improved  by  their  joint  la- 
bors.   They  gave  their  children  a  liberal  ed- 


ucation and  fitted  them  well  in  every  way 
for  the  solemn  duties  of  life.  He  gave  his 
own  name  and  that  of  his  father  to  hiseldest 
son  in  order  to  hand  it  down  as  a  sort  of 
family  mark  of  distinction.  There  is  an  old 
watch  in  tiie  family  which  belonged  to  his 
grandfather,  wliich  he  has  handed  down  to 
his  eldest  son,  Doctor  Parker,  to  be  disposed 
of  in  the  sanu'  manner  by  him.  When  he 
settled  in  tiie  wild  prairie  where  his  beauti- 
ful home  now  stands  there  was  only  one 
house  between  him  and  Urbana.  Domestic 
and  retiring  in  his  habits  he  has  neversought 
notoriety,  but  quietly  pursues  through  life 
the  even  tenor  of  his  way,  exerting  never- 
theless a  wholesome  and  salutary  intiuence 
upon  the  conununity,  by  his  strict  business 
integrity  and  kindly  disposition. 


John  Rogerson 
Was  born  December  18, 1833,  at  Perth,  Prov- 
ince of  Ontario,  Canada.  William  Rogerson, 
his  father,  was  born  December  2,  1806,  at 
Dumfrieshire,  Scotland.  His  mother,  Sarah 
Sinclair  Adamson,  was  born  December  3, 
1814,  at  Quebec,  Canada,  and  was  also  Scotch. 
In  July,  18.55,  William  Rogerson  came  from 
Duncan  City,  Michigan,  located  in  Cham- 
paign, and  engaged  in  lumber,  grain  and 
general  merchandise  business.  His  son 
John  was  employed  as  his  chief  clerk.  In 
the  spring  of  18.56,  John  went  to  the  village  of 
Sadorus  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  ^id 
grain  business,  in  partnership  with  W.  C. 
Wilson,  under  th^  tirm  name  of  Rogerson 
&  Wilson.  In  August,  1^56,  John's  father 
died  and  he  retired  from  the  firm  and  went  to 


47 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Champaign  to  close  up  his  father's  business. 
In  \Xu.  lie  returned  to  Sadorus,  and  with  his 
brother  Andrew  B.,   again  engaged  in  same 
business.    In  1«6'2  his  brother.   Andrew  H. 
enlisted  in  the  '20th  111.  regiment   and   went 
to  the  war.    John  remained   in   business  at 
Sadorus  until   IS72,   when   he  removed  into 
Colfax  township,  one  and  a  half  nules  north 
of  Sadorus,  on  a  farm,  upon   which  he  still 
resides.    He  has  three   brothers  and  three 
sisters  living,  viz:    Andrew  B.,  at  Washing- 
ton, I).  C,  a  clerk  in  Department  of  Interior, 
for  i)ast  seventeen  years,  William  D.,  resid' 
ing  in  Council  Blutfs,  Iowa,   (Jeorge  S.,  at 
•Jacksonville,  111.,    Mrs.  Daniel  Bradley,  of 
Ciiampaign,  Mrs.  Andrew  Hnpel,  and  Miss 
Christiana    Kogerson,    at   Jacksonville,  111. 
Andrew  B.  had  right  eye  shot  out  at  Atlanta, 
Georgia,  July  22.   1W4.    John  Kogerson  was 
married  September  4,  1856,  at  Chicago,  111., 
to  Miss  Jacqualine  Margueritte    Cart   Can- 
tine,  third  eldest  daughter  of  John  J.  C.  Can- 
tine,  of  Washington,   D.  C.     Her  father's 
parents  were  from  France.    The  children  of 
this    marriage,    thirteen    in    nmnber,  were 
Ruth    Caroline,    Sarah    Sinclair,    William, 
John  J,  C,  Andrew  B.,  John  James  Adam- 
son,  Jacqualine  M.  C,  Mary  Julia,  George 
S.,  Fannie  McArthur,  Daniel  BraiUey,  Rob- 
ert Burns,  and  Mark  Lewis  Cantine.    The 
second,  fourth,  seventh,  ninth  and  thirteenth, 
above  named,  are  dead.    Andrew  B.,  resides 
in   Decatur,     111. ;  the   remainder  reside  at 
home  with  their  parents.    His  church  affilia- 
tions have  been  Episcopalian.    He  has  been 
an  ardent  democrat  all  his  mature  life,  cast- 
ing his  first  vote  for  James  Buchanan,  for 
president,  in  18.5().    He  has  been  member  of 
the  democratic  county  central  committee  for 
past  ten   years,    and    chairman  of   Colfax 
township  for  twelve  years,    Mr.  Kogerson 
is  one  of  the  leading  democrats  of  this  coun- 
ty, and  his  advice  is  always  sought  as  to  the 
policy  of  the  party  in  all  matters  of  impor- 
tance.   He  was  postmaster  at  Sadorus,  from 
1»5T  to  IMtil,  railroad  agent  there  1S5()  to  18T1, 
town  clerk,  Sadorus  township,  18(')0  to  18(54, 
justice  of  the  peace,  18()2  to  1872,  in  Sadorus 
township,  and   from   1875  to  1877   in  Colfax 
township;  he  was  assessor  of  Colfax  187(>  to 
1881,  aiul  supervisor  1877  to  188.5.     In   1882 
the   democratic  c(mvention    nominated  him 
for  sheriff   of  Champaign   cour.ty,    but  was 
defeated    by   J.  C.  Ware,    republican.    Mi-. 
Kogerson  nuide  a  splendid  record  as  an  able 
servant  of  the  people,  on  the  board  of  super- 
visors.    He  was  the  leading  nuMuber  of  the 
judiciary  comnuttee  for  eigiit  years;  was  on 
swani))  lands  committee   for  six   years  and 
was  four  years  its  chairman;  stationery  com- 
mittee  three   years,   chairman  two   years; 
fees   and   salaries   two  years,    one  year  its 


chairman.  In  1878-9  and  80,  he  wa.s  sent  by 
board  to  Springlieldto  represent  this  county 
before  state  board  of  e(iuaIi7,ation,  and  en- 
deavored to  get  Champaign  county  in  a  low- 
er classification  which  he  finally  succeeded 
in  doing,  thus  saving  a  large  sum  of  money 
to  the  tax-payers  on  state  tax.  In  1881  the 
board  sent  him  to  Washington.  D.  C,  to 
make  a  list  of  swamp  lands  of  the  county 
from  the  records  in  land  office.  It  was  due 
to  his  labors  that  the  county  procured  sever- 
al thousand  dollars  in  cash  indenmity  from 
United  States  government  and  from  errone- 
ous tax  sales  of  swamp  lands  belonging  to 
the  county  and  there  will  yet  be  a  large  sum 
received  by  the  county  from  new  selections 
of  swamp  lands  made  in  1882-H  by  him  and 
Isaac  Hitt,  state  agent.  Mr.  Kogerson  has 
been  faithful  in  every  trust  reposetl  in  him, 
both  public  and  jirivate,  and  he  richly  de- 
serves the  high  regard  in  which  he  is  held 
by  all  who  have  the  honor  of  his  acquaint- 
ance. 


««-" 


S.  Barclay  K.^pkhaugh. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  sketch  is  a  pro- 
duct of  the  Keystoiu"  state;  he  was  born  in 
Bedford  county,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter  antl 
Eliza  Ka<h'baugh,  natives  of  the  same  state. 
His  father  was  a  farnu'r  by  occujiation. 
Barclay  was  reared  upon  the  farm  and  i-e- 
ceived  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  state.  His  parents  moved  to 
Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania  in  18.5(),  and 
remained  until  in  March,  18()1,  when  they 
came  west  and  settled  in  Urbana.  After 
their  arrival   here  Barclay  engageil  in  the 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COVNTY. 


48 


dry  goods  trade.  It  was  not,  however  con- 
genial business  and  lie  abandonod  It  in  ISG'2. 
He  then  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  the 
office  of  Capt.  William  Fithian,  of  Danville, 
who  was  provost  marshal  for  the  Tth  con- 
gressional district.  Prior  to  coming  west  he 
had  determined  to  adopt  the  law  as  his  pro- 
fession, and  with  that  idea  in  view  com- 
menced the  study;  his  coming  west  and  the 
war  interrupted  his  studies  and  they  were 
not  resumed  until  isf54.  He  then  entered 
the  office  of  \V.  1).  >Somers,  then  the  "Mec- 
ca" of  law  students,  and  continued  until  his 
admission  to  the  bar  in  l><i>h.  He  commenced 
the  practice  and  continued  it  with  gratifying 
success  until  August  4,  188.5,  when  he  took 
charge  of  the  post  office,  a  position  he  was 
appointed  to  by  President  Cleveland.  He 
was  city  attorney  for  five  terms,  and  was 
vigilant  and  efficient  as  an  officer.  Politic- 
ally he  was  a  republican  until  1876,  when  he 
advocated  the  claims  of  Samuel  J.  Tilden, 
and  has  since  that  time  been  an  aident  and 
active  supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  lu 
religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist church.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
March  32, 1868,  to  Miss  Olive  L.  Gere,  daugh- 
ter of  James  S.  Gere,  an  old  settler  and 
prominent  citizen  of  Urbana  in  by-gone 
days.  The  result  of  that  union  are  the  fol- 
lowing named  children:  Otis  B.,  Grace  E., 
Olive  I.,  Clarence  G..  Addle  M.,  Fred  M.  and 
Earl  A.,  the  last  named  and  youngest  died 
last  summer. 

The  democrat!^  party  made  a  wise  selec- 
tion in  Mr.  Eadebaugh  for  postmaster.  He 
is  giving  the  office  his  personal  attention 
and  under  his  good  management  it  reflects 
credit  upon  him  and  his  party  and  at  the 
same  time  the  public  is  being  treated  to  an 
efficiency  in  their  postal  affairs  to  which 
many  conniumities  are  total  strangers.  Mr. 
Radebaugh  has  been  faithful  to  the  inter- 
ests committed  to  him  as  a  lawyer,  in  every 
instance  giving  his  best  energies  to  serve 
his  clients  as  if  their  cause  was  his  own;  he 
has  been  equally  faithful  in  the  public  trusts 
reposed  in  him,  and  should  his  party  retain 
power,  will  doubtless  earn,  by  strict  official 
integrity  and  faithful  performance  of  duty, 
still  further  honors  at  its  hands. 


10 


FlKLDIXG  L.  SroTT. 

None  among  the  prominent  citizens  of 
Champaign  county  are  better  known  than 
Judge  Scott.  He  was  born  in  Bourbon 
county,  Kentucky,  January  '27, 1S()7,  and  was 
the  second  child  of  Patrick  and  Anna  Camp- 
bell Scott.  His  father  was  a  native  of 
Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  his 
grandfather  was  from  Scotland.  His  mother 
was  from  Ireland  antl  came  to  this  country 
when  a  child  with  her  parents.  In  1778  his 
father,  together  with  about  twenty  other 
families  emigrated  to  Kentucky.  They  pro- 
ceeded down  theOhio  in  flat  boats.  They  were 
prevented  by  the  Indians  from  landing  mitil 
they  reached  Louisville,  Ky.,  which  they 
did  upon  an  island,  and  immediately  set  to 
work  clearint;;  and  planting  it  in  corn.  Their 
provisions  runnhig  short,  his  graiulfather 
with  three  others,  effected  a  landing  and 
went  ninety  miles,  to  Boonesboro,  for  relief 
and  supplies.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Scott  located 
land  about  twenty  miles  from  Boonesboro, 
in  what  is  now  Bourbon  county,  where  he 
died  in  IsotJ.  His  son  Patrick  also  ilied  there 
in  18.54.  The  early  life  of  Judge  Scott  was 
spent  on  the  father's  farm.  September  18th, 
1827,  he  niarried  Julia  A.  lierriott.  In  18:30 
with    one   child,   they  started    to    Illinois. 

Arriving  at  the  Grand  Chain  in  the  Wabash, 
they  were  delayed  and  compelled  to  resume 
their  journey  overland,  Mrs.  Scott  riding  on 
horseback.  The  snow  was  knee  deep.  They 
traveled  all  day  through  a  wilderness  when 
Mr.  Scott  becoming  exhausted  mounted  be- 
hind his  wife,  and  fortunately  reached 
shelter.    They  soon  after  bought  a  farm  in 


49 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY. 


Yennilion  county,  wliere  tliey  resided  six 
years,  wlieii  they  reiiiov  eil  to  a  farm  near 
Malioniet,  where  he  resided  until  liis  deatli, 
wiiich  occurred  November  Ki,  ISTT.  Judt^e 
Scott  was  a  Missionary  Baptist  in  liis  re- 
ligion and  an  untlinciiiuK  republican  in  bis 
politics.  During  the  war  he  was  a  staunch 
union  man  and  gave  two  sons  to  the  service 
of  his  country:  one  of  whom  was  killetl  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  the  other  has  thir- 
teen scars,  from  as  many  bullet  wounds,  as 
an  evidence  ot  bis  patriotism.  Through  all 
trials  and  adversity  Mr.  Scott  bravely  con- 
tended, and.  witii  his  own  hands,  assisted  by 
his  excellent  wife,  carved  out  a  comfortable 
competency  at  the  same  time  making  and 
maintaining  for  himself  a  name  for  strict 
honor  and  integrity  which  after  all  is  the 
best  heritage  to  leave  to  posterity. 


.\bm;i:  \V.  SoMKits 
Was  born  MaiiMi  -10.  is-n,  in  Surrey  county. 
North  Carolina.  His  parents  were  of 
English  descent.  The  Soiners  family  had 
long  owned  a  plantation  bordering  on  the 
Yadkin  river,  it  was  a  beautiful  and  healthy 
place.  On  one  side  of  the  farm  in  a  bend  of 
the  river  are  "the  seven  islands,"  where 
young  Abner  passeil  many  happy  hours.  At 
this  favorite  place  tlie  boys  fished  by  the 
blazing  light  of  the  pine  torch,  and  often 
swam  the  river  over  ■]()()  yards  wide,  lie 
worked  on  tlie  farm  and  went  to  school  at 
Rockford.  Being  fond  of  study  and  books 
he  ai'ipiired  a  good  connnon  school  education 
and  much  general  knowledge. 
At   20,  he    began    the    study  of  nu'dicine 


which  he  continued  a  year,  or  more,  before 
coming  to  Illinois.  Then  he  gave  up  the 
idea  of  becoming  a  physi('ian,  and  turned  his 
attention  to  teaching  and  farming. 

He  came  to  this  county  with  his  father's 
family  in  the  fall  of  1>41.  They  settled  north 
of  the  Big  Grove  on  what  is  now  section  22, 
Somer  township.  Here  his  father  bought 
land,  and  soon  after.  Mr.  Somers  began 
teaching.  He  taught  about  thi-ee  years  ac- 
cording to  the  most  approved  methods  of 
that  ilay  and  was  considered  an  excellent 
teacher. 

In  184S  he  rode  to  Danville  on  horseback 
and  entered  the  land  where  he  is  now  living 
at  S1.25  per  acre,  receiving  his  patent  from 
the  president,  James  K.  Polk. 

He  united  with  the  Methodist  church  in 
is.^1,  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Moore,  at 
the  old  meeting  house  in  Somer. 

September  1.5,  ls.5o.  he  married  Miss  Marv 
Ann  Kerr.  Nine  children  were  born  to  them : 
John  M.,  William  R.,  Edward  H..  Annie  C. 
James  B.,  Abner  W.,  Mattie  J..  Samuel, 
Roscoe  and  Frank :  all  of  whom  are  living 
at  home,  but  the  oldest  son  and  daughter. 
John  died  Marcii  4,  1882.  Annie  died  June 
9,  iss(i. 

In  i)oliiics,  he  was  a  whig,  casting  his  first 
vote  for  Henry  Clay.  The  greenback  party 
claimed  him  as  a  member,  but  he  is  now  a 
republican.  He  is  a  man  of  calm  thought 
and  considerate  judgment.  He  held  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  four  years 
and  is  the  present  school  treasurer  of  Somer 
township. 

Mr.  Somers  had  a  good  opportunity  of 
seeing  Champaign  county  in  its  wild  state 
of  beauty  and  grandeur.  He  was  one  of  the 
early  settlers  that  went  to  Danville  to  mill 
and  to  Chicago  for  groceries  and  salt.  He 
often  accompanied  his  brother,  John  L. 
Somers,  who  surveyed  large  portions  of  the 
county:  was  wit)  1  hiui  asllagmaninthe  selec- 
tion of  swamp  lands;  also  when  the  lots, 
where  now  stands  the  city  of  Champaign, 
and  the  town  of  Ludlow  were  surx'eyed  and 
many  other  places.  On  one  occasion  at  the 
Mink  Grove,  when  far  away  from  the  camp, 
he  was  startled  by  a  noise:  he  saw  his  dog 
running  towards  him  closely  pursuetl  by  six- 
teen fierce  looking  wild  iiogs.  Xo  one  knew 
better  than  Mr.  Somers  when  to  run,  and 
then,  but  few  were  swifter  of  foot  than  he. 
Like  a  deer  he  bounded  over  the  prairie, 
reached  the  timber  and  mounted  a  tree 
which  saved  his  life. 

He  experienced  the  hardship  and  dis- 
advantages of  the  early  days,  yet  the  abun- 
dance of  game  and  the  beauty  of  the  country 
were  to  him,  "a  joy  forever.''  Prairie  chick- 
ens, wild  geese,  duck,  etc.,  were  seen  by  the 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


50 


thousaiuls,  and  the  deer  roamed  in  herds 
over  the  prairie. 

The  splendid  timber  in  tiie  Big  groN'e  was 
unt'ulled  by  the  pioneer's  ax,  tlif  prairie  sod 
unbroken  by  tiie  old  settler's  i>lo\v.  and  in- 
numerable wild  flowers  shed  their  perfume 
on  the  ail-,  tilling  the  heart  with  gratitude 
to  Him,  who  clothes  the  earth  in  beauty. 
Often  he  thought  of  the  lines: 
"Full  mimy  a  Hower  is  born  to  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

Mr.  Somers  has  lived  to  see  this  changed 
to  cultivated  rtelds.  beautiful  houses,  flourish- 
ing towns,  scoools,  churches  and  all  the 
comforts  and  luxuries  which  the  people  of 
this  grand  county  now  enjoy. 


John  W.  DoixiK. 

John  W.  l)odge,a  native  of  Steuben,Oneida 
county,  Xew  York,  was  born  Nov.  "il,  1808. 
His  grandfather  fell  in  tiui  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill.  His  father  was  born  in  Xew  Hampshire 
July?,  1776:  His  mother.  Hannah  Weeks 
was  from  Connecticut,  and  several  of  her 
brothers  were  nroininent  in  the  early  settle- 
ment of  Ohio.  Joseph  H.  Weeks,  going  to 
Granville,  with  a  colony  from  Mass.,  and 
Wm.  11.  Weeks,  ]).  D.,  settling  in  Xewark 
N.  J.,  where  he  labored  successfully  for 
many  years. 

JNIr.  Doilge  was  married  Aug.  21,  18;J4,  to 
Susan  Bissell,  a  laily  who  provetl  to  be  a 
model  of  industry  and  economy,  and  the 
beauty  of  her  moral  and  religious  character 
is  indelibly  impressed,  u(^on  the  minds  of 
those  who  knew  her  best.  Four  years  ago 
she  passed  to  that  bourne  from  whence  none 
ever  retui'n,  after  years  of  patient  suffering. 


Six  children  came  to  bless  their  wedded 
life,  three  of  whom  are  still  living.  A  son, 
O.  B.  Dodge,  lives  in  "Dixon,  111.,  and  is  con- 
nected in  business  w'th  the  Grand  Detour 
I'low  company,  and  two  married  daughters, 
Mrs.  J.  :>[.  Beaid  and  Mrs.  A.  P.  Xeal,  live 
in  Kantoul. 

(roing  west  in  the  early  days  of  pioneer 
life  in  Ohio,  Mr.  Dodge  began  openiug  up 
small  farms  from  the  dense  timber  lands  of 
that  state;  and,  with  his  own  hands  chopped, 
cleared  and  fenced  two  hundred  acres  of 
land,  during  the  years  from  1S2S  to  1840. 
To  those  who  think  farming  in  Illinois  on 
tiiese  open  prairies,  is  haid  work,  we  would 
like  to  say,  what  if  you  had  hrst  to  r"niove 
heavy  timber  froni  the  land  by  the  slow  pro- 
cess of  chopping  it  by  hand,  you  might  then 
talk  of  hard  work. 

When  forty  years  of  age,  Mr.  Dodge  en- 
tered into  general  merchandising,  and  con- 
tinued ni  that  business  until  is.^."),  when  fail- 
ing health  demanded  a  change;  and  he 
came  to  Illinois  in  company  witli  a  number 
of  others,  called  the  "Ohio  colony."  They 
pre-empted  several  sections  of  land  in  Pera 
(now  called  Ludlow  township,)  Champaign 
county,  and  built  eighteen  pre-emption 
shanties,  and  at  the  land  sale  in  Danville, 
the  following  winter,  paid  the  govennnent 
for  about  :^,000''acres  of  land  at  an  average 
expense  of  83.00  per  acie,  including  inciden- 
tal expenses  of  pre-empting. 

A  year  later  he  connnenced  making  im- 
provements, (sleeping  at  first  in  a  pre-emp- 
tion shanty  without  floor,  tloor,  or  window,) 
and  afterwards  moved  together  three  others, 
and  occupied  them  with  his  family  and  other 
new  comers  (numbering  together  from  1.5  to 
'10  during  a  whole  summer)  while  a  house 
was  being  built.  If  there  was  not  room  to 
"turn  round''  in  the  house,  plenty  c(mhl  be 
found  outside. 

Groceries  and  provisions,  lund^er  and  hard- 
ware were  brought  from  Chicago. 

Wild  game  of  different  kinds  was  plenty. 
Prairie  chickens,  ducks,  geese  and  sand  hill 
cranes,  the  latter  would  gather  together 
in  an  open  space  and  perform  a  dance, 
keeping  perfect  time  with  their  leader. 
Prairie  iwolvesj  were  everywhere,  and  the 
hrst  year  deer  were  seen  in  herds,  passing 
from  Buck  grove  to  the  Sangamon  timber 
in  a  regular  line,  once  sixty  were  counted  in 
a  single  line,  and  often  15  or  20  were  seen. 

Prairieifires  were  fearful  until  the  land 
was  broken,  very  destructive;  sweeping  over 
miles  of  territory  in  a  single  night. 

Mr.^Dodge  tried  farming  till  1861,  with  a 
lack  of  success  which  was  rather  discourag- 
ing. He  then  went  into  the  drug  business 
in  Rantoul  and  continued  in  it,  till  the  land 


51 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN    COVyTY 


business  held  out  to  liini  more  flattering  in- 
ducements. About  this  time  the  Illinois 
Central  nulro:\(l  offered  their  lands  for  sale, 
anil  witliin  four  or  live  years,  fifty  thousand 
(50,000)  acres  of  land  changed  hands  through 
his  agency,  all  in  the  vicinity  of  Kantoid. 
Health  again  gave  away,  and  since  that 
time  he  has  lived  quietly  in  his  home  at 
Rantoul.  now  nearly  seventy  eight  years  of 
tee.  His  silver  hairs  speak  plainly  of  the 
busy  life  he  has  lead. 

He  possesses  all  those  excellent  qualities 
of  head  and  heart  that  constitute  the  attri- 
butes of  a  true  and  successful  man. 


JoHX  George  Ely, 
Among  our  respected  German  American 
citizens  is  Mr.  Ely,  the  well  known  carriage 
maker,  of  Champaign.  He  was  born  in 
Kempton,  Bavaria,  June  13th,  182.5,  He  is 
the  son  of  Enist  and  Magdalena  (Pfifer) 
Ely.  Young  Ely  received  a  good  education 
then  excellent  schools  of  his  native  country. 
At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  was  apprenticed 
to  the  trade  of  carriage  making  and  served 
his  time,  after  which  he  worked  as  a  "jour." 
He  came  to  ,\merica  while  yet  a  young  man. 
He  stopped  some  time  in  New  York  City, 
and  while  there  manied  Miss  Eliza  Kehner. 
The  date  of  tlie  marriage  was  October  1st, 
1.H.54.  She  died  November  fltii,  isfJS.  In  the 
spring  of  1S57,  Mr.  Ely  concluded  to  try  his 
fortune  in  the  west.  He  came  to  Urbana, 
landing  here  April  10th,  of  the  year  above 
named.  He  found  work  in  the  shop  of 
lioyden  &,  Oslield,  which  some  of  the  older 
citizens  will  recollect.  It  ^;tood  on  the  ground 
now  owned  by  J.  L.  Charni,  West 
Main  street.    He  remained  with  the  above 


named  firm  for  three  years.  He  then  started 
a  shop  of  his  own.  doing  all  kinds  of  general 
blacksmithing  work,  wagon  making,  etc. 
He  continued  in  Urbana  until  1803,  when  he 
moved  to  Chamjiaign  and  opened  a  shop. 
and  continued  with  varying  success,  up  to 
1880,  when  he  built  the  large  three  story 
brick  building  to  acconnnodate  his  extensive 
and  growing  business.  His  business  has 
grown  from  a  small  beginning  until  it  is  now 
one  of  the  most  extensive  establishments  of 
its  kind  in  Central  Illinois.  He  manufac- 
tures carriages  of  all  kinds,  buggies  and 
spnng  wagons,  and  does  a  general  repair 
business. 

When  Mr.  Ely  first  began  work  for  him- 
self, he  had  to  make  everything.  Mat  E. 
Busey  came  into  his  shop  one  day  and  want- 
ed him  to  make  a  buggy  body  for  a  pair  of 
running  gears.  Mr.  Ely  drew  the  outline 
with  chalk  on  the  fioor.  Mr.  Busey  express- 
ed himself  as  satisfied  if  the  body  would 
look  that  way  when  made.  Mr.  Ely  finished 
it  from  the  plan  on  the  floor.  That  buggy 
body  was  the  first  one  ever  made  in  the 
county  of  Champaign.  When  Mr.  E.  first 
went  to  Champaign  it  was  then  called  West 
Urbana.  Tliere  were  but  sixty  houses  in  the 
town.  The  Illinois  Central  company  were 
then  erecting  their  round  house.  The  out- 
look for  the  struggling  village  was  not  very 
bright,  but  Mr.  E.  had  unbounded  confidence 
in  its  future.  Times  has  demonstrated  that 
his  judgement  was  not  at  fault.  Thecity  in  a 
great  measure  owes  its  growth  and  pros- 
perity to  that  class  of  enterprising  and  ener- 
getic men  to  which  Mr.  E.  belongs.  They 
are  the  men  who  give  life  and  vitality  to  a 
town. 

Mr.  Ely's  present  wife  was  Dora  Demlo. 
Their  marriage  took  place  April 0,  1864.  He 
is  the  father  of  twelve  children.  The  eldest 
is  twenty  eight  and  the  youngest  five  years 
of  age.  George,  Samuel.  John  and  Louis, 
are  working  in  the  carriage  shop.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ely  are  members  of  the  Beformed 
Lutherrtn  church.  Politically,  Mr.  Ely  is  a 
pronounced  democrat.  Thus  in  short  is  a 
brief  outline  of  the  life  of  Mr.  Ely.  He 
came  here  poor  in  purse,  but  rich  in  the 
possession  of  youth,  health  and  industrious 
habits.  Through  these  he  has  built  up  a 
large  business,  and  made  himself  an  honor- 
able name  among  men. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


52 


Joiix  AsiiMox  Benedict. 

Among  the  hills  of  Delaware  county,  New 
York,  John  Ashnion  Benedict  was  born, 
December  '2.  ls-20.  He  was  the  son  of  Martin 
Green  Benedict,  whose  fatlier  came  from 
Connecticut  into  the  then  far  west,and  settled 
near  ^rereditli,  in  that  county.  Many  are  the 
tlirillini^  stories  of  iu^ir  breadth  escapes  from 
horrible  massacre  by  Indians  w'hich  are  re- 
lated of  him.  At  one  time  the  Indians  raid- 
ed the  country.  He  pretended  to  be  their 
friend  and  durins:  their  raids  in  the  day  time 
buried  his  valuables.  Early  one  morning 
shortly  after  the  departure  of  the  Indians, 
upon  their  raid  of  daily  massacre  he  too 
departed,  and  sought  in  safety  his  boyhood 
home  in  Connecticut.  Returning  ire  found 
his  home  burned  to  the  ground. 

Martin  Green,  Ixjrn  in  1800,  was  raised 

among  these  thrilling  scenes,  and  took  life 

in  earnest.    In  early  life  he  married  Myra 

Ann  Flint.    He  was  a  successful  farmer  and 

lived  to  see  the  woodland  hills  of  Delaware 

county,  made  beautiful  by  the  toil  and  labor 

of  its  early  settlers.    He  died  in  December, 

1876.    John  Ashmen  was  the  eldest  son  by 

this  union.    He  was  educated  in  a  district 

school  near  Meredith,  and  at  the  Delaware 

Academy.     During  the   winter,  when  not 

needed  for  farm  work,  he  taught  school.    In 

the   Autumn  of  18.54,  at  an  evening  party 

he   met  the   maiden  of    his  choice,  Olive 

Lee.     June   5,    18.56,   they    were    married. 

She  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mitty 

Lee,  of   Koxbury,  New  York.    Soon  after 

their  marriage  they  too,  determined  to  seek 

a  home  in  the  far  west.    Charles  Fitch  Post 

visited  the  father  of  John  Ashmon,  in  the 


summer  of  18.56  and  at  tiiis  time  tiie  agreement 
was  made  to  settle  in  the  same  locality. 
In  October  lie  started.  He  first  went  to 
Cauibiidge,  Wis.,  the  home  of  Mr.  Post. 
Fnjm  iiere  he  and  Mr.  Post  started  for 
Champaign,  111.,  but  meeting  N.  L.  Seaver 
on  the  train  they  were  advisetl  to  locate  at 
Rantoul,  which  after  visiting  tliat  place  they 
concluded  to  do,  and  retiu'ned  to  Cambridge, 
for  tlieir  families  and  goods.  John  Ashmon 
stopped  in  Chicago  upon  his  return  to  his 
future  honre,  and  bought  lumber  for  the  first 
lumber  yard  in  Rantoul.  He  arrived  with 
his  wife  Nov.  1st,  18.56.  Under  the  lirm 
name  of  Post  &  Benedict,  they  carried  on  a 
lumber  business  during  1857  and  18.5S,  wlien 
Johu  Ashmon  bought  out  Post's  interest, 
and  carried  it  ou  until  fall  of  1^.51),  wlien  he 
sold  out  to  Abram  Cross.  During  the  winter 
of  57-.5S,  lie  taught  the  lirst  public  school  in 
a  frame  building,  corner  of  Crirard  and  Grove 
avenues.  This  was  district  No.  1,  which  had 
just  been  organized.  In  the  tall  of  '59,  this 
district  built  a  more  commodious  school 
house.  John  Ashmon  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  school  directors,  who  were  the  first 
elected  and  held  office  at  the  time  of  its 
erection. 

About  January  1st,  1859,  he  formed  a  part- 
nership  with  Henry  Wright,  in  the  general 
merchaudise  business— tirm  name,  Benedict 
»&  Wright.  Sold  out  his  interest  in  spring  of 
'60.  Then  went  into  the  lumber  and  grain 
business  with  Peter  Meyers.  In  the  spring 
of  '61,  sold  his  interest  to  Meyers.  Farmed 
during  this  and  the  coming  year,  and  in  May 
1863,  bought  out  M.  Huffman,  a  general 
merchandise  dealer  of  Ludlow.  This  busi- 
ness he  carried  on  until  the  spring  of  '65. 
He  sold  out  and  iu  the  fall   of  "65,   bought 

a  general   merchandise 
He  continued  in  this 

death.  Oct.  12th,  1881. 
His  family  consists  of  a  wife  and  two  sons ; 
John  Lee,  and  Charles  Post,  who  survive 
him,  a  little  daughter,  Ada  Jane,  having  died 
Sept.  13th,  1863. 

In  his  husiness  transactions,  he  was  suc- 
cessful. His  estate  including  a  lire  proof 
business  block,  .50x80  feet,  two  stories  high, 
a  pleasant  residence,  corner  of  Sangamon 
avenue,  and  Girard  street,  town  and  farm 
property  and  such  personal  property  as  was 
necessary  to  run  his  extensive  merchandis- 
ing business.  All  his  property  was  free 
from  incumbrance.  In  politics  he  was  a 
republican.  He  was  a  member  of  the  town 
Board  of  Trustees  for  several  years,  once 
its  president.  For  several  j'ears  also  he  was 
a  member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors 
and  during  his  last  term  was  chairman  of 
that  body.    Was  a  member  of  the  congres- 


out  0.  B.  Dodge, 
dealer,  of  Rantoul. 
business   until  his 


53 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGy  CuUyTY. 


sioiial  convention  of  ISso,  wliicli  met  at 
Mattoon,  III.  He  was  one  of  tlie  original 
incorporators,  and  one  of  the  tirst  directors 
of  the  H.,  K.  ct  E.  R.  R.  Incorporated  Jan- 
uary itth,  1ST3.  Although  not  a  member  of 
any  churcli,  his  wife  being  a  Meteodist,  he 
took  an  active  interest  in  tiie  church  of  her 
choice. 

Prominent  among  tlie  many  good  traits  of 
character  of  'John  A.  Benedict,  was  ins 
large  hearted  charity  for  the  poor  or  unfor- 
tunate. He  delighted  to  soften  the  couch 
of  the  afflicted  and  brighten  the  home  of  the 
sufferer,  not  by  words  of  cheer  and  consola- 
tion alone,  but  by  substantial  lielp  in  the 
hour  of  need.  Many  are  the  individuals  and 
families,  that  owe  nuich  of  their  prosperity 
to  the  helping  hand  (jf  John  A.  Benedict, 
andclierish.  to-day,  his  memory  with  the  sin- 
cerest  gratitude  and  veneration. 


Ai.oNZ()  Lyons. 
Thirty-two  years  ago,  Alonzo  Lyijus  came 
to  Urbana.  He  brought  with  him  his  moth- 
er and  yoiuigest  sister.  He  continued  his 
residence  in  the  county  until  his  death, 
wiiicli  occurred  Augu.st  '^oth,  1878.  He  was 
born  in  Coleraiue,  Franklin  county,  Mass., 
October  is,  lH->:i.  His  father,  James,  and 
motiier,  Sophia  (McCuUoch)  Lyons,  were 
natives  of  the  same  state.  Mrs.  Lyons  came 
to  this  county  ill  is,")4,  from  Clinton,  Indiana, 
where  sh(^  had  lived  after  leaving  Massa- 
chusetts. The  marriage  of  Mr.  Lyons  with 
Miss  Julia  E.  Bassett.,  of  Castleton,  Ver- 
mont, took  place  in  Urbana,  January,  17th, 
is.5.5.  Mrs.  Lyons  survives  her  husband  and  is 
still  a  resident  of  Tolono.    The  oldest  child. 


Mrs.  A.  L.  Carney,   resides  at  Portsmouth, 
Ohio:  the  other  children,  two  .sons  and  two 
daughters,  live  with  their  mother.    Mr.  Ly- 
ons came  west  in  ls^7,  with  liis  uncle,  James 
McCulloch,  to  Clinton,  Indiana,  and  clerked 
in  his  uncle's  store,  for  several  years.   After- 
wards for  a    number   of   years    he    and  his 
brother  were  partners  in  the  mercantile  bus- 
iness,   at   Clinton.    In    18.50   they  opened  a 
branch  store  atCamargo,  in  Douglas  county, 
Illinois.    In  18.5.3,  the  partnership  was  dis- 
solved, Alonzo  taking  the  latter  store.    In 
February  of  the  next  year  he  opened  a  store 
in   Urbana   with   Dr.    Ilollin  Whitcomb  in 
charge  of   same.    In    18.58,    Mr.  Lyons  and 
family  removed  to  Tolono  where  he  resided 
and  continued   in   the    mercantile  business 
until  the  date  of  his  death,  above  mentioned. 
The  business  of  Mr.  Lyons  necessitated  long 
trips  over  the  country.   He  was  not  deterred 
by  stormy  weather,  if  business  called  him. 
Many  times  he  was  compelled  to  drive  across 
the  open  country;  the  trips  were  long,  and 
frequently  night  came  on  when  he   was  a 
long  distance  from  home,  or  from  any  house. 
He  had  many  exciting  experiences  in  driv- 
ing over  the   lonely  prairies    with    but  few 
land  marks  to  guide  him  in  his  course.  Once 
during  a  blinding  snow  storm,   in  the  wide 
open   prairie,    he   lost    his  way,    and  after 
struggling  along  attempting  to  strike  the 
trail  he  almost  gave  up  and  feared  he  could 
never  get  home,  but  trusting  to  the  instinct 
of   his   faithful   though  jaded  hor-ses,  they 
pulled  him  through  and  l)rought  him  safely 
home,    though    many  hours    late,   and  very 
much  exhausted  and  suffering  from  the  se- 
verity of  the  storm.    ]Mr.  Lyons  was  always 
interested  in  any  movement  that  had  for  its 
object  the  public   good  or   welfare  of   the 
community  in  which  he  lived,  and  gave  liber- 
ally of  Ids  means  to  aid  such    enterprises. 
In  his  religious  belief  he  wasa  Universalist. 
Politically  he  was  an  ardent  and  staunch 
republican,  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  be- 
lief that  the  application  of  its  principles  to 
governmental    affairs    would    insure   great 
good  and  the  perpetuity  of  our  republican 
form  of  government.    He  took  an  active  in- 
terest in  politics  and  was  recognizsd  as  one 
of  the  leaders  of  his  pai-ty  in  the  county. 
He  was  a  man  of   more  than  ordinary  intel- 
lectual ability.    He  read  much  and  digested 
well  what  he  did  read.    He  was  a  pleasant 
and  agreeable  couiiiaiiiou.    In  his  death  his 
family  lost  a  kind  hearted,  good  husband 
ami  father,  and   the  community  a  valuable 
and  worthy  citizen. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


54 


JrixiK  J.  I'.  Texbkook 
Was  born   in  Union  county,   Pennsylvania, 
November  2(1,  1809.    His  parents,  Abraham 
and  Catlierine,  (Piatt)  Tenbrook,  emigrated 
to  Indiana   in  Ibis  anil  settled   in  Franklin 
county,  where  the  father   died  in  1832.    He 
left  a   large  family  and  their  only  support 
was  their  niotlirr  and  John  P.,  who  was  tlien 
a  lad  of  thirteen  years.    But  he  struggled 
along  manfully  and  succeeded  in  keeping 
the   wolf  from  the  door  until  the  family 
was  self-sustaining.    In  1837,  finding  him- 
self in  possessicm  of  three  good  teams,  Mr. 
Tenbrook  resolved  to  try  the  country  further 
west.    He  located    in   Monticello,  in  Piatt 
county.    At  that  time  the  country  between 
Urbana   and   Monticello   was  an  unbroken 
prairie  and  the  smoke  of  the  camp-tire  of 
the  "Indians  still   ascended    from   the    Big 
Grove.    Mr.  T.  engaged  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness in  Monticello,   and  continued  in  it  for 
twelve  years.    He  came  to  Champaign  coun- 
ty in  18.50  and  located  at  Sadorus,  where  he 
has  made  his  home  ever  since,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  few  years  that  lie  spent  in  Ur- 
bana.   His  house  was  the  tirst  erected  in 
the  village  of  Sadorus.    In  1837  he  married 
Miss  Eldula,  daughter  of  Ilem-y  Sadorus, 
the   pioneer   of   Champaign   county.     She 
died  in  18.52.    She  was  the  mother  of  four 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living.    Their 
names  are:  Heruy,  Eliza,  wife  of  Mr.  Tim- 
mons,  residents  of  Monticello,  and  Malissa, 
wife  of  Mr.  Lochrie,  residents  of  Iowa.    Po- 
litically, Judge  Tenbrook    has  been  a  life 
long  democrat.    His  tirst  vote  was  cast  for 
Gren.  Jackson,  in  1828,  and  from  that  time  to 
the  present  he  has  not  faltered  in  his  alle- 


giance to  the  party  of  his  tirst  choice.  He 
has  tilled  many  honorable  positions  in  the 
county.  He  was  county  judge  for  a  number 
of  years,  when  the  county  was  under  the  old 
organization,  and  has  repiesented  two  dif- 
ferent towns,  at  different  times  in  the  board 
of  supervisors.  He  has  been  a  justice  of  the 
peace  for  many  years.  He  is  an  honored 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  was 
the  tirst  Worshipful  Master  of  Urbana 
Lodge  No.  157,  while  under  dispensation 
and  the  lirst  after  its  organization.  Judge 
Tenbrook  has  many  friends  in  the  county, 
whom  he  has  won^by  his  genial,  good  na- 
tured  disposition.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a 
CumberhuKl  Presbyterian. 


m 


WlI.I.lAM    IvKDHEI) 

Was  born  at  March,  in  Cambridgeshire, 
England,  September  23, 1830.  He  left  home  at 
the  tender  age  of  eleven  years,  and  has  made 
his  own  way  in  the  world  from  that  day  to 
the  present.  He  left  London  in  September, 
1850,  bound  for  the  United  States  and  took 
passage  on  the  Ocean  Queen.  He  thus  cut 
loo.se  from  the  scenes  of  his  childhood  and 
youth  and  boldly  struck  out  to  the  new  world 
to  wrestle  with  the  difficulties  and  obstacles 
of  life.  He  ari-ived  in  Chicago  in  December, 
1850,  and  remained  in  that  rapidly  growing 
city  until  April  1857,  when  he  located  at 
Tolono,  in  this  county.  He  was  married 
July  7,  18.57,  at  Chicago,  to  Miss  Mary  M. 
Ladey.  This  excellent  lady  died  July  16, 
1883,  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Ptcdhed's  mother,  at 
March,  England,  whither  Mr.  Pedhed  and 
she  had  gone  on  a  visit  to  the  scenes  of  his 
boyhood  days. 


55 


PIONEERS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COrXTY. 


September  iiBrd,  1884,  lie  was  agaiu  married. 
His  secoiKl  wife  was  Miss  Alice  E.  Seed,  of 
Central  Lake,  Michit^an.  She  is  a  highly 
educated  and  refined  lady,  and  is  still  living. 

In  September  1857,  he  opened  tlie  first 
grocery  store  in  Tolono,  with  live  hundred 
dollars  of  borrowed  capital.  Mr.  A.  Lyons 
whose  biography  appears  in  this  issue,  start- 
ed about  the  same  time  in  Tolono,  with  dry 
goods,  notions  and  groceries.  From  this 
small  beginning  Mr.  Kedhed  has  accumulat- 
ed a  comfortable  competency.  For  twenty 
nine  years  he  has  been  engaged  at  Tolono  in 
the  mercantile  business  with  continuous 
success.  He  has  been  so  careful  in  his  busi- 
ness and  so  correct  in  his  contracts  that  he 
has  never  been  sued,  although  transacting 
an  extensive  business  for  many  years.  He 
has  never  had  a  case  of  his  own  in  a  court 
of  I'ecord  and  has  only  sued  one  or  two 
persons  in  his  life.  Honesty  and  integrity 
have  characterized  his  every  day  life  and  he 
is  emphatically  a  self  made  man,  who  has 
by  his  own  unaided  efforts  succeeded 
admirably  in  a  business,  the  pathway  of 
which  is  strewn  with  many  failures. 


J'knkose  Stibiiam. 
Near  the  banks  of  the  historic  Delaware, 
in  the  city  of  Wilmington  Del.,  October  24th, 
1807,  Tenrose  Stidham  lirst  looked  upon  the 
world.  His  parent  were  Joseph  and  Anna 
(Gregg)  Stidham.  His  early  life  was  spent 
at  the  place  of  his  birth.  January  9th,  1836, 
the  love  that  had  existed  between  himself 
and  Miss  Mary  Sergeant,  a  native  also  of 
Delaware,  happily  culminated  in  marriage. 


She  was  born  February  4th,  1810,  anil  is  still 
living ;  and  is,  to-day,  at  the  age  of  seventy 
years,  as  active  and  strong  as  those  who 
have  not  lived  half  so  long,  nor  borne  any 
of  the  burdens  of  pioneer  life.  The  surviv- 
ing ciiildren  of  Jliis  marriage  are:  Joseph 
P.,  who  married  Sarah  Elder,  and  resides  in 
Lebanon,  Mo. ;  John  T.,  who  married  Ennna 
White  (now  deceased),  and  later.  Jennie 
Nichols,  and  now  resides  at  Mahomet,  111. ; 
and  Melissa  A.,  who  married  Thomas  iJ. 
Carson,  now  a  revenue  agent  in  the  internal 
revenue  service,  residing  at  Urbana.  Three 
of  their  sons  are  dead.  Penrose  Stidham 
was  confirmed  as  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church  in  his  youth  and  he  lived  a  consist- 
ent and  faithful  believer  in  the  tenets  of 
that  church.  In  the  spring  of  1836,  soon  af- 
ter his  marriage,  he,  with  his  young  wife, 
emigrated  to  what  was  then  the  border  lands 
of  the  great  west— to  La  Fayette,  Indiana. 
Here  he  engaged  in  farming  for  a  portion  of 
the  time.  It  was  while  residing  there  that 
he  built  a  steam  saw  mill  on  the  banks  of 
the  Wabash  and  followed  that  business  for 
a  number  of  years.  Here  he  also  served  his 
neighbors  as  justice  of  the  peace,  ably  and 
well.  In  1848,  having  a  firm  belief  in  the 
rich  resources  of  the  vast  and  growing  west, 
he  was  led  to  follow  in  the  wake  of  advanc- 
ing civilization  still  farther  toward  the  set- 
ting sun.  He  accordingly  gathered  his  house- 
hold goods  and  personal  property  together 
and  came  to  Urbana.  He  broke  and  open- 
ed up  the  farm  just  south  of  town,  now 
owned  by  E.  A.  Shaw,  where  the  doors  of 
his  hospitable  home  were  ever  open  to  his 
hosts  of  friends,  until  the  day  of  his  d^ath, 
which  occurred  September  30, 1862.  At  the 
time  he  built,  his  was  the  only  house  between 
Urbana  and  Sidney.  His  little  home  was 
once  seriously  endangered  by  a  prairie  fire 
that  swept  across  the  untamed  prairie.  Mr. 
Stidham  and  some  of  the  family  were  sick, 
hence  Joe  and  John  held  the  horses  and 
drove,  Mrs.  Stidham  held  the  plow  while 
they  plowed  furrows  around  the  premises 
and  sent  to  town  for  help;  a  wagon  load 
came  to  the  rescue  and  a  successful  fight 
was  made  against  the  dreaded  enemy,  after 
which  Mrs.  S.  prepared  a  supper  for  the  en- 
tire party  which  was  of  the  kind  for  which 
she  has  always  been  noted,  for  she  never 
took  second  place  as  a  first  class  cook.  Mr. 
Stidham  was  a  Jeffersonian  democrat  and 
through  all  his  life  he  was  firm  and  unwaver- 
ing in  his  political  faith.  He  was  sheriff  of 
Champaign  county  for  the  years  1853  and 
18.54,  and  again  for  the  years  1857  and 
1858,  being  elected  on  the  democratic  ticket. 
He  also  served  as  chief  deputy  for  two  years. 
As  sheriff  and  ex-officio  collector,  he  visited 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


56 


each  precinct  in  the  county  to  receive  the 
taxes,  giving  two  days  to  each  precinct.  He 
handled,  in  this  way,  tliousands  of  dollars, 
but  never  was  robbed  nor  lost  a  cent.  He 
was  urged  by  S.  H.  Busey  and  Asa  Gere  to 
run  again  but  on  account  ot  tailing  health 
he  declined.  Penrose  was  a  modest  man 
but  he  was  very  popular  among  the  people. 
His  word  was  relied  upon  as  absolutely 
good  and  he  had  the  entire  confidence  of 
the  members  of  both  political  parties.  He 
has  kept  a  character  tiiat  was  untarnished 
and  a  memory  that  will  be  cherished  long 
by  those  who  knew  him. 


Winston  Someks,  M.  D. 
Doctor  Somers,  the  pioneer  physician  of 
Urbana,  was  born  in  the  year  1800,  near 
Eockford,  Surry  county,  North  Carolina. 
He  received  a  fair  education  in  the  connnon 
schools  at  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  taught 
school  in  Nortli  Carolina,  where  iliss  Mary 
Graves  Haynes  went  to  school  to  liim.  She 
afterward,  in  1829,  married  him.  She  was 
born  in  Stokes  county,  in  February,  1811. 
Their  children  were  all  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina. William  H.,  the  eldest,  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  San  Diego,  California,  (his  portrait 
and  biography  appears  elsewhere) ;  James 
W.,  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Review  of 
the  Pension  office,  at  Washington,  (see  his 
portrait  and  biography  in  another  column) ; 
Jolm  W„  is  a  druggist  at  Ida  Grove,  Iowa; 
Joseph  W.  is  traveling  for  an  agricultural 
implement  house,  but  resides  in  Urbana. 
Doctor  Somers  came  alone  on  horseback 
from  North  Carolina,  here,  in  1843.  On  his 
11 


way,  in  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina, 
he  stopped  at  a  humble  log  house  over  night. 
Toward  nu>rniug  the  Doctor  thought  he  heard 
signiticant  movements  of  the  family  and 
he  got  up,  took  his  horse  and  went 
on  his  way.  He  feared  they  were  going  to 
rob  him.  The  next  day  lie  stopped  at  a  lit- 
tle town  and  waited  for  a  gunsmith  to 
make  him  two  revolvers.  He  had  previously 
been  unarmed.  These  curious  old  prinutive 
pistols  were  in  the  family  for  many  years. 
Doctor  Somers,  after  inspecting  this  wild 
prairie  country  made  up  his  mind  that  this 
was  where  he  would  make  a  permanent 
home  for  himself  and  family.  He  returned 
to  North  Carolina  and  brought  his  family. 
He  loaded  his  limited  worldly  effects 
into  wagons  ami  with  three  horses  he 
brought  them  and  his  family,  consisting  of 
his  wife  and  four  boys,  to  this  wild  and  un- 
cultivated prairie.  His  oldest  son,  William 
H..  was  then  thirteen  years  old  and  his 
youngest,  Joseph,  was  five.  When  he  ar- 
rived here,  his  capital,  so  far  as  money 
was  concerned,  had  been  reduced  to  the 
limited  sum  of  seventy-tive  cents,  but  he 
had  a  brave  heart,  indomitable  energy  and 
good  business  capacity.  He,  of  course,  soon 
bought  land  and  utilized  his  boys  (a  part  of 
his  capital)  in  fanning,  while  he  practiced 
his  profession  in  a  circuit  of  fifty  miles  in 
diameter,  Urbana  being  the  center.  He  had 
to  visit  patients  on  the  Middle  Fork,  and  at 
Rantoul,  Sadorus,  Homer,  and  many  times 
would  be  gone  from  home  for  days  at  a 
time  visiting  the  sick,  riding  in  a  gijr  or 
sleigh,  carrying  his  saddlebags  with  a  small 
stoclc  of  medicines,  there  being  no  drug 
store  nearer  than  Danville. 

The  denizen  of  to-day,  who  looks  upon  a 
local  and  near  by  population  of  10,000,  who 
traverses  paved  streets,  lighteil  by  gas  and 
electricity,  who  sees  and  mingles  with  peo- 
ple of  the  highest  culture  and  looks  upon 
the  massive  and  imposing  building  of  the 
State  University,  here  located,  will  find  it 
difficult  to  correctly  imagine  the  Urbana  of 
1843,  when  the  Somers  family  pitched  its 
tent,  strangers  in  a  strange  land.  Instead 
of  the  evidences  of  our  advanced  civilization 
visible  on  every  hand,  as  now,  they  only 
looked  out  upon  a  hamlet  of  a  dozen  small 
houses  and  cabins,  built  in  a  thicket  of  ha- 
zel brush  and  on  the  border  of  a  boundless 
and  uninhabited  prairie.  Instead  of  a  teem- 
ing population,  busy  in  the  shops,  offices, 
and  on  the  farms,  they  encountered  the  few 
pioneers  here  at  that  day,  supplemented  by 
wolves  and  other  "varmints"  of  the  wilder- 
ness, who  made  successful  warfare  upon 
the  chicken  roosts  and  pig-sties  ot  the  set- 
tlers.    Instead  of  the   advanced  common 


57 


PlOyEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COLMl'. 


schools  uow  existing  and  rtouiisliing  all  over 
the  county,  crowned  by  a  great  University. 
located  but  a   mile   from   their  home,  this 
family  saw  only  here  and  there  a  log  school 
house,  and  the  pay  schools  kept  by  ambu- 
latory school  masters  of  the  Sam  Crane  va- 
riety.   Such  was   the   home   to   which  Dr. 
Somers  brought  his  family.    After   several 
years  of  arduous  labor  he  went  to  Kush  Med- 
ical college  and  graduated  with  high  honors 
in  1S.53.  He  then  practiced  a  year  in  the  hos- 
pital in  Chicago,  after  which  he  resumed  his 
life  work    in    Urbana.    He   was   the    tirst 
clerk  of  the  circuit  court  of  Surry  county. 
North  Carolina,  the  former  incumbents  hav- 
ing held  the  office  under  title  derived  from 
the  king  of  Great  Britain.    He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of    Enrollment  for  this 
district,  at  Danville,  during  the  war.    Be- 
fore resigning  he  made  a  voluminous  report 
of  the  operations  of  the  board,  to  the  Pro- 
vost Marslial  General.  U.  S.  A.,  which  was 
published  in  an  official  volume,  by  Dr.  J.  H. 
Baxter,    Chicago.    Medical    Purveyor,  who 
wrote  Dr.  Somers  a  highly  complimentary 
letter  thanking  him  for  his  contribution  to 
medical  science.    He  never  read  a  novel  in 
his  life  and  opposed  novel  reading  always. 
At  the  age  of  tifty  he  began  and  mastered 
the  Greek  and  Hebrew  languages  so  he  could 
read  the  Bible  in  the  original  text.    He  was 
in  the  banking  business,  for  a  short  time, 
with  his  son  William.    He  died  in  1871,  leav- 
ing for  his  widow  ample  provision  for  her 
comfort  the  remainder  of  her  days.    She  re- 
sides at  the  old  home,  now  in  her  T6th  year 
and  in  excellent  health.    He  was  very  de- 
cided in  his  opinions,  liberal  in  his  religious 
views,  but  very  earnest  in  the  support  of 
his  favorite  doctrines.    He  was  a  member 
and  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Universalist 
church,  in  Urbana,  and  always  contributed 
liberally  to  advance  the  cause  he  had  so 
much  at  heart.    He  was  anti-slavery  in  his 
views,    even   before  he    left  the  south,  and 
was  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  uncomi)ro- 
mising  republicans.    He  lived   an  earnest, 
energetic  life  and  was  of  the  stutf  of  which 
hardy  pioneers  are  made.    He  was  emphat- 
ically the  architect  of  his  own  fortune.    He 
achieved  a  high  rank  in  his  profession  and 
left  a  record  for  earnest  endeavor  and  manly 
enterprise  that  should  be  an  example  to  the 
yf)ung  men  of  our  day. 


A.'SA   Fi.KMixi;  Hav.s, 

Fourth  cliild  of  William  Hays  and  Margaret 
Fleming,  was  born  near  Greenville.  Darke 
county,  Ohio,  October -24,  ISi"),  twenty  nine 
years  after  Wayne's  treaty  with  the  Indians 
near  his  birth-place.  His  grandfather  was 
William  Hays,  who  settled  in  this  county,  at 
Gobiu's  Grove,  about  1838,  and  died  on  what 
is  known  among  old  settlers  as  the  Isaac 
Albright  farm,  near  the  Somers"  school  house 
in  January,  1852,  His  father  was  a  fanner 
till  elected  sheritf  of  Darke  County,  and 
after  his  term  of  office,  returned  to  his  farm, 
where  he  resided  till  hisdeath,  April  G.  1848. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  passed  his  boy- 
hood and  early  youth  on  his  father's  farm. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  apprenticed  to 
Jeremiah  Reis  for  four  years  to  learn  the 
blacksmith  trade.  For  these  years  of  faith- 
ful service,  he  received  board,  clothes,  six 
month's  schooling  and  a  tifty  dollar  suit  of 
clothes.  He  considered  himself  as  well  re- 
warded. The  kindest  of  feelings  always  ex- 
isted between  him  and  his  old  master.  Hav- 
ing learned  his  trade  he  was  innnediately 
employed  by  Mr.  Ueis,  and  after  a  few 
months  went  to  Indiana  on  a  visit,  and, 
being  pleased  with  the  country,  went  to 
work  in  a  machine  sho))  in  Attica.  About 
tins  time  he  became  acquainted  with  Cather- 
ine Tracy,  whom  he  married,  May  23, 1847. 
Meanwhile  his  old  master  solicited  his  return 
and  otfered  him  a  partnership. 

In  August  of  1848,  he  moved  to  Pleasant 
Hill,  Indiana,  where  he  followed  his  trade 
till  December  1S50,  when  he  moved  to  Peoria 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  till  De- 
cember, 1851,  when  he  moved  to  this  county, 


PIONEKKS    (IF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


58 


aud  settled  on  Benjamin  Browntield's  taiiu 
about  four  miles  northeast  of  Urbana.  In 
March,  l«x  Mr.  Hays  became  a  citizen  of 
Urbana,  settling  near  Kerr's  tavern,  and  has 
since  done  his  sliare  towards  tlie  improve- 
ment and  advancement  of  our  city. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hays  have  two  children; 
James  VV..  who  has  been  inincipal  of  the 
public  schools  of  Urbana.  since  1871.  except- 
ing one  year,  and  Mrs.  H.  O.  Alexander,  of 
Sturgis,  Dakota. 

Mr.  Hays  joined  the  M.  E.  church  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  years,  and  lias  thus  been 
identilied  with  the  interests  of  his  church 
for  more  than  forty  years.  When  entitled 
to  participate  in  political  affairs,  he  cast  his 
influence  and  votes  in  favor  of  the  whig 
party  and  has  never  regretted  voting  for  the 
pathlindcr.  (icn.  Fremont.  He  is  as  strong 
in  the  republican  faith  and  creed  to-day  as 
he  was  thirty  years  ago.  but  has  never  been 
an  office  liolder  or  seeker. 

Mr.  Hays  has  been  all  his  life.  ;i  hard 
worker,  and  by  good  habits,  industry  and 
correct  conduct,  has  given  his  children  a 
thorough  eilucation  and  provided  an  elegant 
and  comfortable  home  in  this  city,  in  which 
we  trust  he  may  continue  to  enjoy  life  for 
manv  vears  more. 


F.  B.  Sai.k. 

This  gentleman,  one  of  the  leading  farmers 
of  northwest  Champaign  county,  was  born 
in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  June  9th,  1822. 

His  father,  John  Sale,  was  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  in  early  life  moved  to  Ohio, 
and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  ministers  of  the 
Methodist  church,  of  Ohio.    He  was  a  pre- 


siding elder  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and 
was  a  minister  for  over  thirty  years. 

F.  B.  Sale  was  the  youngest  of  the  family, 
of  nine  children.  He  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  while  spending  his  boyhood 
and  youth  upon  the  home  farm,  where  he 
remained,  assisting  to  carry  on  the  business 
until  he  was  thirty  one  years  old. 

October  11th.  1^44.  he  was  married  to  Miss 
;Maiia  Cramer.  Eight  children  were  born 
to  them,  viz :  Willis  George,  now  a  resident 
of  Indianapolis:  Edwin  C,  who  is  a  grain 
merchant  at  Dewey,  in  this  county;  Charles 
E..  a  resident  of  Nebraska;  John  A.,  who  is 
now  the  secretary  of  the  Illinois  Resers'e 
Fund  Association,  at  Rantoul  Illinois:  S. 
B.,  who  is  engaged  in  mercantile  i)ursuits 
at  Fisher,  111. ;  Frank  O.,  a  dentist  at  Huron, 
Dakota;  James  P..  and  Fannie. 

Mr.  Sale  is  the  grandfather  of  twenty  three 
children,  and  says  he  has  a  tine  prospect  for 
forty  more. 

In  the  fall  of  18.5:^,  Mr.  Sale  removed  with 
his  family  to  Urbana.  where  he  was  engaged 
in  merchandising  and  trading  xnitil  18.5fi, 
when  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Condit  town- 
ship. He  taught  tlie  ttrst  school  in  the  new 
building  in  district  No.  1.  and  was  the  first 
teacher  in  the  township,  who  received  a 
salary  as  high  as  forty  dollars  per  month. 
This  was  in  18.5fi-7.  He  was  deputy  assessor 
under  C.  H.  Sherfy  and  Wm.  Munhall,  In 
the  years  18.5()-7.  In  18.5s>.  he  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  has  acted  in  that 
capacity  most  of  the  time  since. 

In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  12.5th.  Eeg.,  111., 
Vol..  Infantry,  under  command  of  Col. 
Harmon.  He  was  mustered  in  at  Danville, 
111.,  September  :^rd.  1802.  with  a  determina- 
tion to  follow  the  fortimes  of  his  conuades 
to  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  a  brave  and 
resolute  soldier  and  was  elected  captain  of 
his  company,  which  he  commanded  with 
ability  and  was  a  great  favorite  among  his 
comrades.  The  long  marches  the  hardships 
and  privations  of  a  soldier's  life  soon  began 
to  undermine  his  constitution,  and  he  was 
compelled  regretfully  to  resign  and  retire  to 
the  paths  of  peace;  but  his  heart  was  still 
with  the  boys,  who  remained  to  defend  their 
country.  He  did  not  fail  to  serve  his  countiy 
loyally  at  home  with  the  same  fidelity  that 
had  characterized  his  army  life. 

He  has  been  a  local  preacher  in  the  M.  E. 
church  since  1857,  and  has  been  instrumental 
in  bringing  many  souls  into  the  fold  of  his 
Master. 

He  was  ordained  deacon  in  the  M.  E. 
church  at  Bloomington,  in  1866,  by  Bishop 
Ames ;  in  the  same  year  he  was  appointed 
agent  of  the  American  Bible  Society.  His 
district  was  composed  of  the   counties  of 


59 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY. 


Chanipais:n,  Iroquois,  Piatt  and  Macon. 

In  1>>T1.  lie  was  ordained  an  Elder  at  Jack- 
sonville, by  Bishop  L.  Scott. 

He  has  always  been  a  republican  since  the 
party  was  organized,  and  is  a  radical  tem- 
perance man.  His  voice  lias  always  been 
raised  in  solemn  warning  against  the  evil  of 
liquor  drinking  and  selling. 

His  inliuence  lias  always  been  for  purity 
in  politics  and  honesty  in  all  things.  In 
short.  Mr.  Sale  is  a  high  minded  Christian 
gentleman,  wliidi  i^  rdi  that  need  be  said  of 
nnv  man. 


M^M^^.^ 


William  Sim. 

.The  drug  and  book  store  of  William  Sim 
is  one  of  t!ie  oldest  business  houses  in 
the  county.  William  Sim  was  born  in 
Baltimore  county,  ^Maryland,  November  2, 
1825.  He  is  tlie  sou  of  Josepli  W.  and  Kitu- 
rah(Mercer)Sim.  He  was  reared  inhisuative 
state  and  from  there  removed  to  Ohio, 
where  he  remained  until  he  came  west  to 
Illinois  and  to  I'rbana  in  is.54.  He  lirst  en- 
gaged in  teaching  school  in  a  building  that 
was  situated  close  to  the  old  court  house 
back  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  also  was  a 
teacher  in  the  pulilic  schools  ^ieveral  years 
before  engaging  in  mercantile  business.  His 
first  business  venture  was  in  the  tli'ug  and 
book  trade  in  connei-tiou  with  Drs.  C.  A. 
Hunt  and  M.  Liudicy.  This  was  in  the  fall 
of  18.58.  The  partnership  continued  until 
1801,  when  it  was  dissolved.  Mr.  Sim  then 
formed  a  co-partnership  with  John  T.  Far- 
son  and  they  purchased  the  stock  of  drugs 
of  Bu.sey  &  Miller,  and  continued  in  busi- 
ness for  three  years,  when  Mr.  Sim  pur- 


chased Parson's  interests  and  has  con- 
tinued the  business  alone  ever  since. 
The  drug  business  from  1862  to  1866 
was  very  protitable,  so  much  so  that  it 
enabled  Mr.  Sim  to  jjay  off  about  86.000  in- 
debtedness incurred  by  tiie  old  firm.  Mr_ 
Sim  is  now  the  proprietor  of  as  large 
and  extensive  a  stock  of  drugs,  books, 
paints,  oils,  notions  and  lUuggists  sundries 
as  can  be  found  in  the  county.  He  is  the 
owner  of  the  business  block  occupied  by  him, 
also  has  a  fine  residence.  He  has  reared  and 
educated  his  childi^eu  and  started  them  in 
business.  His  boys,  who  have  gone  out  from 
the  oUfhome,  are  all  doing  well  and  are  on 
the  high  road  to  wealth  and  usefulness. 

Mr.  Sim  married  Miss  Lucinda  Liudley, 
who  was  born  in  1828.  The  ceremony  oc- 
curred at  Fredericktown,  Ohio,  Aug.  9,  185.3. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  child- 
ren :  Anna,  who  is  yet  beneath  the  parental 
roof.  Coler  L.  married  Miss  Nellie,  daugh- 
ter of  Col.  Huiitoon.  of  Topeka.  Kan..  They 
reside  at  AVichita,  Kan.,  where  he  is  engag- 
ed in  the  banking  business.  He  has  also  an 
interest  in  a  drug  house  at  Topeka.  Edward 
L.  married  Miss  Belle  Young  and  is  in  busi- 
ness in  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Walter  T.  married 
Miss  Emma  Coogan,  and  is  in  the  employ 
of  Messrs.  Richardson  &  Co.,  wholesale 
druggist.  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Benjamin  F.  mar- 
ried Miss  Nellie,  the  daughter  of  Dr. 
J.  E.  Morrison,  of  Urbana.  He  is 
with  his  father  in  the  drug  business. 
William  E.  is  a  student  and  at  home. 
Mr.  Sim  and  family  are  members  of  the  M. 
E.  church.  He  united  with  that  christian 
organization  in  1849  at  Fredericktown,  Ohio. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  official  board  there 
and  has  occupied  the  same  position  in  the 
church  here  since  18.>j.  Politically  he  was 
originally  a  whig,  but  joined  the  republican 
party  on  its  formation  and  has  been  a  con- 
sistent member  up  to  the  present.  Mr.  Sim 
was  school  treasurer  for  Urbana  township 
for  twenty-eight  years.  During  that  time 
he  was  the  custodian  of  many  thousands  of 
dollars,  all  of  which  was  accounted  for  in 
the  most  exact  and  busniess-like  manner. 
Mr.  Sim,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing, 
is  an  old  settler  and  old  business  man 
among  us.  Here  among  his  neighbors,  who 
know  him  best,  where  he  has  lived  all  these 
years  since  18,'34,  all  unite  in  according  to 
him  the  reputation  of  an  honest,  upright, 
christian  gentleman  and  liberal-minded  citi- 
zen. 


PIOXEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


60 


Hon.  8.  II.  HisEY.  i 
Among  the  many  (dd  settlers  and  promi- 
nent men  of  Cli;iini)aUu  county,  who  have 
taken  an  active  part  and  have  contributed 
mucli  to  tlie  growtli  and  prosperity  of  this 
section  is  the  subject  ot  this  slvctch.  He  is 
tiie  eldest  sou  of  Col.  M.  W.  Busey,  a  slietch 
of  whom  will  be  found  in  another  coknnn  of 
this  paper.  He  was  born  in  Greencastle, 
Wasliington  county,  Indiana,  October  24th, 
18'il.  He tliere  grew  to  mans  estate.  His 
opportunities  for  receiving  an  education 
were  meager,  and  at  best  were  contined  to 
the  pay  scliool  system  in  vogue  in  the  pio- 
neer days  of  tlie  west.  He,  liowever,  at  an 
early  age,  aciiuired  habits  of  close  observa- 
tion and  this,  united  with  extensive  reading 
in  later  years  and  aided  by  a  naturally  strong 
and  vigorous  mind,  has  matle  him  an  unusu- 
ally well  informed  man  on  past  and  current 
topics  of  the  day.  In  1^30,  when  but  twelve 
years  of  age,  he  came,  with  his  parents,  to 
this  county.  He  remained  at  home  at  work 
for  his  father  until  his  marriage  inl8-iS,  when 
he  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account. 
This  occupation  has  taken  up  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  varying  it  at  intervals  to  em- 
bark in  other  business,  but  in  the  end  always 
retiu-ning  to  his  lirst  love  and  lirst  vocation. 
In  it  he  has  been  more  than  ordinarily  suc- 
cessful, as  his  large  landed  estates  would 
indicate.  When  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Champaign  was  originated  he  was  one  of  its 
charter  members.  He  sold  out  and  in  com- 
pany with  his  ])rotlier.  Col.  S.  T.  Busey,  or- 
ganized the  banking  lirm  of  Busey  Bros.  He 
was  the  senior  partner  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  was  also  engaged  in  the  drug  and  grocery 


business  for  a  short  time.  But.  as  intimated 
before,  these  were  side  issues  to  a  great  ex- 
tent while  tanning  and  stock  raising  were 
his  pursuits. 

When  Mr.  Busey  came  to  this  county  it 
was  new  and  the  customs  were  somewhat 
different  from  the  present.  Then  neighbor- 
hoods were  few  and  far  between.  The  peo- 
ple were  eminently  of  a  social  turn  of  mind; 
news  was  scarce,  and  living  so  far  apart  the 
gossip  of  the  neighborhood  was  not  so  com- 
mon as  now.  The  young  and  old  men  were 
actjuainted  for  twenty  miles  around.  Mr. 
Busey  says  it  was  the  custom,  and  almost  a 
duty  to  attend  the  dances  and  weddings  that 
occurred  in  the  county.  He,  being  of  a  so- 
cial turn  and  not  particularly  averse  to 
mild  frolicking,  frequently  went  twenty 
miles  to  join  in  and  contribute  to  the  hilari- 
ty of  the  occasion.  The  dances  were  usually 
given  ou  a  rough  floor  of  split  timbers. 
There  was  no  time  and  often  no  tools,  to 
smooth  down  the  rough  places.  These  has- 
tily improvised  dancing  platforms  were  a 
little  rough  on  the  dancers  as  they  generally 
danced  in  their  stocking  or  bare  feet,  and  in 
the  morning  one,  two  or  more  of  the  most 
vigorous  were  minus  a  toe  nail  or  two.  But 
then,  they  had  lots  of  fun  and  the  small  loss 
of  a  toe  nail  or  two  did  not  cut  nuich  of  a 
figure.  Mr.  Busey  contracted  marriage  with 
Miss  Artemesia  Jones,  in  1848.  She  was 
then  a  resident  of  Greencastle,  Indiana.  She 
is  living  and  is  the  mother  of  eight  living 
children,  whose  names  are:  John  W.,  who  is 
an  extensive  farmer  of  Comi)romise  town- 
ship ;  Augusta,  wife  of  Mr.  Morgan  of  :\Iin- 
neapolis,  Minn. ;  Elizabeth  F.,  wife  of  Ozias 
Riley,  Champaign :  Mathew  W.,  of  the  firm 
of  S.  T.  ifc  31.  W.  Busey,  bankers,  Urbana; 
James  B.,  farmer  of  Fisher  111.;  Geo.  W., 
bookkeeper;  Alice,  wife  of  G.  Freeman; 
and  William  H.,  still  at  home.  Mrs.  Busey 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Polit- 
ically, Mr.  Busey  is  most  soundly  indoctrin- 
ated in  the  principles  and  political  tenets  of 
the  democratic  party.  He  has  followed  its 
fortunes  through  all  its  vicissitudes  and  vic- 
tories from  1844,  at  which  time  he  cast  his 
first  ballot  for  James  K.  Folk,  up  to  the 
present  time.  While  he  has  not  been  a  pol- 
itician in  the  strict  sense  of  the  word,  yet 
he  has  exercised  large  influence  in  the  coun- 
cils of  the  party,  and  it  was  always  in  the 
direction  of  sound  policy,  and  the  better- 
ment and  futiu-e  success  of  the  organization. 
In  local  affairs  he  has  been  quite  active,  and 
has  been  a  member,  at  different  times,  of  the 
city  council,  school  board,  and  board  of  su- 
pervisors. In  1877,  he  represented  the  dis- 
trict in  the  -Mh  general  assembly  of  the 
state.    His  course  while  a  member  of  that 


61 


PIoyEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUyTY. 


body  was  maiked  by  a  desire  to  legislate  in 
the  interest  ol  the  masses  and  not  for  the 
few,  and  as  such  received  the  liearty  com- 
mendation of  iiis  constituents.  His  prom- 
inence in  |»()litical  circles,  and  well  known 
inteijrity  of  character,  lias  pointed  him 
out  as  a  suitable  candidate  to  represent 
this  district,  in  congress.  He  is  now 
beinsr  warmly  urged  by  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  his  party  in  the  district  to  allow  the 
announcement  of  his  name  and  become  the 
standard  bearer  of  his  party  in  the  coming 
campaign.  We  tiiink  that  in  his  selection 
the  party  would,  for  once,  at  least,  exhibit 
ti-aces  of  returning  reason. 


JOSKI'JI    TuOItXTON    KEI.I.KY. 

Was  l)orn  in  Rockingham  county.  Virginia, 
May  I4tli,  1^01).  His  father,  Abraham,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  his  mother  who  was  Sarah 
Burgess  was  born  in  (Tcrmany.  They  emi- 
grated eacli  to  Virginia,  but  tiie  year  is  not 
known.  The  father  served  three  years  in 
the  revolutionary  war  and  was  also  a  sol- 
dier in  the  war  of  1812,  an  aid  of  Col.  Denny, 
although  sixty-five  years  old  at  that  time 
and  tile  father  of  fourteen  children,  Joseph 
T.  being  the  youngest  of  the  four  boys  of 
the  family.  The  eldest  brother  of  Joseph 
T.  also  made  up  a  company  and  went  into 
the  war  of  1812  under  Gen.  McAvthur. 
When  Hull  surrendered.  Captain  Kellcy 
was  so  incensed  that  he  thrust  his  sword  be- 
tween the  spokes  of  a  wagon  wlieel  and 
broke  it.  Wlien  that  war  was  over,  the 
father,  Abraham  Kelley,  started  for  home 
and  died  when  only  twenty-four  miles  from 
home,   he  was  wrapped  in  a  blanket  and 


given  a  soldier's  burial.  When  the  son  came 
home  he  took  up  tiie  body  and  buried  it  be- 
side the  mother  wlio  had  died  in  1810. 

When  Joseph  T.  Kelley  was  fifteen  years 
okl,  being  an  orphan  boy,  he  went  to 
live   with  Joseph  Vance,  two  miles   north 


of     Urbana.     Chami)aigii 
with  whom  he  lived  until 
one.     when,     in  1880.    lie 
Vance    at    the    residence 
Joseph   Vance, 
his  wife,  each 


county.  Ohio, 
nearly  twenty- 
married  Sarah 
of  her  uncle, 
March  1.5th,  1881,  he  and 
on    horseback,  started    for 


Hlinois,    arriving    at    Danville.    March   28. 
They  settled  at  the  salt  works,    six  miles 
west  of   Danville.    His  wife's   father  had 
preceded  them  in  1821.  and  had  been  engag- 
ed in  making  salt  with  the  Indians;  he  af- 
terwards leased    the  salt  works  from  the 
state,  and  drove  a  profitable  business  imtil 
Chicago   sprang   up   and    began  to  ship  in 
cheaper  salt.    The  prairie  schooners,  loaded 
with  wheat,  drawn  with  six  yoke  of  oxen, 
brought  back  salt  which  was  sold  at  S1.25 
per  barrel.  The  price  prior  to  that  was  81.50. 
The  salt  works  which  Mr.  Kelley  operated 
turned  out  120  barrels  per  week,  which  was 
a  good  paying  business  when  prices  were 
good.    Mr.  Kelley,  in  these  days  was  an  in- 
\  eterate  worker,  hauling  wood  by  day  and 
attending  the  furnace  at  night.    It  was  dur- 
ing this  period,    when  in  1833,  the   "stars 
fell,"  as  the  old  settlers  all  put  it  in  describ- 
ing the  meteoric  shower  of  that  time.    The 
light  of  the  falling  stars  awakened  Mr.  Kel- 
ley; he  awakened  his  wife  to  see  the  strange 
and   startling   sight.    'Mr.    Kelley    had   an 
Irishman    in    his   employ  who   was   badly 
frightened.    He  said  to  Mr.  Kelley,  -'Jo  let 
us  blow  out,  be  Jasus  the  day  of  indgmeiit 
has  come."    Mr.   Kelley  replied,  '"No,  Bill, 
that    isn't   according   to   Scripture."     The 
Irishman  replied,  "Be  Jasus  the  auld  man 
has]  changed  his  notion."    During  these  pi- 
oneer days,  Mr.  Kelley  and  his  neighbors 
frequently  had  to  live  on  frost-bitten  corn 
(meal),  fat  meat,  pea  cotfee  and  whiskey. 
After  awhile  they  were  able  to  send  a  load 
of  salt  to  Terre  Haute.  Ind.,  and  get  a  bar- 
rel of  tlour  and  scmie  genuine  coffee;  then 
they  had  the  extreme  luxury  of  hot  biscuits 
and  coffee  for  breakfast,  on  Sunday  morn- 
ings.   Mr.  Kelley  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that 
the  operation  of  the  salt  works  was  a  heaven 
for  women  and  dogs  but  li—  for  men  and 
oxen.    In  1849  he  rented  a  farm  of  Cyrus 
Sti-ong,  at  old  St.  Joseph.    He  afterwards 
bought  it  for  S^^iOS  per  acre  and  went  to 
fanning,  and  kept  a  hotel  for  many  years, 
there.    It  was  at  this  hotel,  famous  for  its 
hospitality,  that  a  stranger  once  stopped  for 
a  few  days,  with  Mr.  Kelley.    He  was  treat/- 
ed  so  well  and  was  so  well  pleased  with  the 


) 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


62 


genial  and  hospitable  landlord,  tiiat  lie 
said  on  leavini;  that  he  would  do  him 
whatever  favor  was  in  liis  power.  Not 
long  after  a  po^toflice  was  established, 
called  St.  Joseph,  after  the  landlord. 
Mr.  Kelley  was  made  postmaster,  and 
thns  the  stranger  whom  he  had  taken  in 
had  favored  him:  he  was  a  politician  of 
prominence  who  had  the  ear  of  the  postmas- 
ter general,  at  Washington,  and  thus  paid 
the  debt  of  gratitudi?  he  owed  to  Mr.  Kelley 
for  his  kindness.  He  kept  this  tavern,  fa- 
mous always  for  its  good  cheer,  until  18G4, 
when  his  wife  died.  He  rented  it  to  others 
for  two  or  three  years,  and  finally  sold  it  to 
Sanford  llichards.  December  ISOS,  he  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Patience  Bullock  and  they  now  re- 
side in  Harwood  townshii>.  in  this  coimty. 
Mrs.  Kelley  is  a  Bai^tist.  Mr.  Kelley  is  not 
a  member  of  any  church,  but  his  folks  were 
all  Methodists.  He  was  a  whig  and  has  long 
been,  aiul  is  now.  a  faithful  republican,  and 
will  doubtless  remain  one  as  long  as  he  lives. 
Mr.  Kelley  nt^eds  no  character  from  us,  his 
record,  has  been  made  in  the  midst  of  the 
people  and  their  universal  verdict  is  that  he 
has  been  a  good  citizen  and  a  strictly  honor- 
able man  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 


John  C.  Thomas.  , 

One  of  the  energetic  and  active  business 
men  of  Urbana  is  John  C.  Thomas,  of  the 
lirm  of  Ford,  Thomas  &  Satfell.  He  is  a 
Kentuckian  by  birth,  l)orn  in  Scott  county, 
October  1,  ls.5-2.  He  is  the  son  of  James  Q. 
and  Mary  (West)  Thomas,  natives  of  the 
same  state.    His  father  was  a  soldier  of  the 


Mexican  war.    He  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion.   In  l^ioo  he  came  north  and  west  to  Hl- 
inois,  and  settled  in  Champaign   county  on 
the  old  Pusey  farm  in  Condit  townshij).    He 
then  followed  farming  iuid  stock  raising  un- 
til advancing  age  compelled  his  retirement. 
He  and  his  estimable  wife  are  residents   of 
Mahomet.    They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,    John  C.  is  the  tirst  born.    He  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  received  his 
primary    education    in    the    schools  of  his 
neighoorhood.    The  latter  was  supplement- 
ed by  an  attendance  for  two  years  in  the 
graded  schools  of  Mahomet.  He  subsequent- 
ly took  a  full  course  in  the  Champaign  Busi- 
ness College.    After  his  graduation  lie  be- 
came a  teacher  in  the  same  institution  and 
taught  for  two  years.     In  187.5  he  formed  a 
co-partnership  with  Mr.   A.   Robertson   and 
opened  the  tirst  tlrug  store  in  the  village  of 
Fisher.    Two  years  later  lie  sold   his  inter- 
est in  the  drug  business  and  accepted  a  posi- 
tion as  deputy  sheriff  under  J.  E.  Oldham. 
He  removed    to   Urbana  and  here   he   has 
since  made  his  residence.    In  this  position 
he  served  two  years.    He  then  engaged  in 
buying  and  shipping  grain  from  Urliana  for 
an  Indianapolis  tirin  and  continued  at  that 
for  one  year.    On  the  :30th  of  .October,  188:3, 
he  purchased  Mr.  Saffell's  interest  in  the 
firm  of  Ford  &  Saftell,  agricultural  dealers 
and   importers  of  fine  breeds  of  Norman 
Clydesdale  and  Belgian  horses.    On  the  10th 
of  March.  1884,  Mr.  Saftell  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  and  since  that  date  it  has 
been   known  as  Ford,  Thomas  iSr  Saftell. 
This  firm  enjoys  an  extended  reputation. 
They  are  known  as  the  principal  agricultur- 
al dealers  in  the  county  and  the  largest  im- 
porters of  horses  in  Central   Illinois.    Much 
of  the  success  of  the  firm  is  due  to  the  un- 
tiring eftorts  and  business-like  methods  in- 
troduced by  Mr.  Thomas.    He  attends  to  all 
the  business  detail  and   looks  closely  after 
the  finances,  wliile  his  partners  are  the  sales- 
men of  the  concern.    Mr.  Thomas  married 
Miss  Bettie  Williamson,   February  1,   1877. 
She  was  born  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky, 
November  17,  18.51.    Her  parents.  Thomas 
and  Elvira  (Curtis)  Williamson,  were  na- 
tives of  same  state.    They  came  to  this  coun- 
ty in  1863.    Mrs.  Thomas  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church.      Politically   Mr.   Thomas 
comes  from  good  old  democratic  stock  and 
family.    He   wisely  follosvs  in  their  foot- 
steps and  is  an  ardent  and  active  democrat. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  educa- 
tion of   Urbana  for  three  years,    l^rbana 
naturally  feels  a  pride  in  the  firm  and  busi- 
ness of  which  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  member.    It 
is  quoted  as  being  unusually  successful  and 
hivs  grown  from  moderate  beginnings  to  the 
head  of  its  kind  in  the  county. 


63 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Harrison  \Y.  Dkillixgek. 
It  is  eminently  proper  that  the  name  and 
face  of  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch 
should  api)eai;  among  tlie  list  of  old  settlers 
of  Champaign  county.  Though  not  now 
with  us,  he  was  for  many  years  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  county.  He  at 
present  is  a  resident  of  Chester,  Nebraska. 
He  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  August 
6lh,  1819.  He  is  adescendentfrom  a  German 
family,  who  originally  settled  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. Philip  DruUinger,  the  father  of  Harri- 
son, was  born  in  that  state  in  IT'.iO.  When 
he  was  four  years  of  age,  the  fandly  moved 
to  Ohio.  Tliere  Philip  married  Catherine 
West,  of  Pickaway  county.  There  were 
three  children  of  that  union.  Harrison  is 
the  only  s\n'vivor.  When  Mr.  DruUinger 
was  nine  years  of  age,  the  family  removed 
to  Union  county,  Indiana.  In  1839,  he  came 
to  Vermilion  county,  Illinois,  his  father  hav- 
ing preceeded  him  the  year  before.  In  1840, 
he  came  to  Champaign  county,  and  in 
October,  of  that  year,  married  Mary  Bartley, 
daughter  of  George  Bartley,  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  St.  Joseph  township.  Mrs. 
DruUinger  died  in  1848,  leaving  two  daugh- 
ters; Eliza  and  Mary.  He  contracted  a 
second  marriage  in  May,  1848,  with  Miss 
Elizabetii,  daughter  of  S.  S.  Whiting.  She 
was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  1847.  By  the  latter 
marriage  there  are  nine  children.  Their 
names  in  the  order  of  birth  are;  William  S., 
Lewis  S.,  Henry  P.,  diaries  P.,  Julia  A., 
Harrison  S.,  Walter  \V.,  Minnie  F.,  and 
Nora  F.  From  1840,  up  to  his  removal  to 
Nebraska,  Mr.  Hrullinger  was  a  resident  of 


St.  Joseph  township,  and  with  the  exception 
of  three  years,  lived  on  the  land  that  he 
entered.  He  was  a  successful  farmer,  and 
bought  at  ditfercnt  times  and  paid  for  nine 
hundred  acres  of  land,  the  greater  jiart  has 
been  divided  among  his  children.  He  was 
originally  a  democrat  in  politics,  and  voted 
with  tiiat  party  until  the  agitation  of  the 
slavery  (luestion,  wiiich  brought  the  Free 
Soil  party  to  the  front.  He  espoused  the 
cause  of  freedom  and  voted  for  John  C. 
Fremont,  in  1S5(>.  and  has  supported  the  re- 
publican ticket  in  every  election  since.  He 
frequently  represented  his  township  in  the 
board  of  supervisors,  and  was  an  active  and 
useful  member.  He  joined  the  Methodist 
church  in  Indiana,  when  nineteen  years  of 
age.  His  temperance  principles  were  of  the 
strictest  character.  He  has  not  tasted  any 
spiritous  litiuors  for  twenty-five  years,  nor 
used  tobacco  m  any  form  Few  men  in  the 
county  stood  as  high  in  the  esteem  of  his 
neighbors  and  acquaintances  as  Harrison 
DruUinger.  In  losing  him.  Nebraska,  gained 
an  honest  man  and  an  incorruptible  citizen. 


'  -W  km 


\ 


Hon.  Ci,ai!K  K.  (ii!i(i(is. 
No  man  ever  lived  in  Champaign  county 
who  exercised  a  greater  inliuence  or  accom- 
plished more  good  for  the  county  than  Clark 
li.  Griggs.  That  splendid  temple  dedicated 
to  learning,  the  University  of  Illinois,  will 
always  stand  as  a  numument  to  his  in- 
domitai)le  energy  and  perseverance.  Its 
location  here  in  Urbana  was  due  to  his  la- 
bors, his  perseverance  and  masterly  manage- 
ment when  its  location  was  pending  for  set- 
tlement.   The  building  of  the  great  1.,  B.  & 


PIONKEKS    OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


64 


W.  railway  Is  anotliei-  result  of  his  enter- 
prise, sagacity  and  continued  perseverance. 
The  difliculties  surroundiiiK  its  building 
woukl  have  discouraged  ahuost  any  other 
man,  but  the  greater  the  ditticulty  tlie  higher 
his  courage  ntse.  He  absolutely  knew  no 
such  word  as  fail. 

Clark  Robinson  Griggs  was  born  in  Briui- 
tield,  Mass.,  March  0,  lS'i4.    He  was  liberal- 
ly educated  in  tlie  sclu)ols  and  acadeuiies  of 
his  native  state.    At  an  early  date  he  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes 
by    uiaciiiucry    iu  tlie   town   of    Westboro. 
While  a  resident  there  he  was  elected  to  rep- 
resent his  district  in  the  legislature.    He 
served  acceptably  for   two  terms.    In  the 
spring  of  1859  he  came  to  Chauipaign  coun- 
ty and  ]iurchased  a  farm  on  Yankee   Kidge, 
two  miles  north  of  Pliilo.     In  the  winter   of 
the  same  year  he  met  witli  an  a'.cident  that 
changed  the  whole  current  of   his  life.    He 
was  shelling  corn  by  machinery,  when  the 
glove  on  ills  hand  was  caught  in  the  gearing 
of  the  machine  and   tlie  hanil  ilrawn  in  and 
crushed.    The  accident  resulted  in  the  los- 
ing of  three  lingers  of  his  right  hand.    He  ■ 
then  abandonetl  faruiing,   came  to  Urbana- 
and  engaged  in  a  small  way  in  mercantile 
pursuits.     When  the  war  broke  out  he  was 
appointed  sutler  to  tlie  2.5th  regiment   Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry,  and  remained  witii 
the  aruiy  until  tlie  close   of   the  war.    He 
then  retinned  to   Urbana  and   engaged  in 
land  speculations  until  the  winter  of  ISGT-OS, 
when  he  was  elected  to  represent  this  legis- 
lative district  in  the  genero^j  assembly  of  the 
state.    It  was  during  that  session  of  the  leg- 
islature that  the  bill  creating  and  locating 
the  present  University  of  Hlinois  was  pass- 
ed.   There  were  a  dozen  places  contending 
for  the  prize,    it  was  in  that  tight  where  the 
sti-ong  characteristics  and  energy  of  the  man 
shone  forth.    His  generalship  and   manage- 
ment of  the   question  affecting  its  location 
was  most  masterly  and  was  crowned  with 
success.      During    that   same   session    Mr. 
Grriggs  procured  tlie  passage  of  a  charter 
granting  a  line  of  railway  through  the  state, 
which,  upcm  his  retirement  from  the   legis- 
lature, he  projected  under  the  name  of  the 
Danville,    Urbana,    Bloomington  &   Pekin 
railroad.    It   was   soon   after  con.solidated 
with   an  Indiana  line  and  the  name   was 
changed  to  Indianapolis,  Bloomington  and 
Western  railway.    Mr.  Griggs  was  its  presi- 
dent during  its  construction  and  for  some 
time  after  its  completion  and  operation.    In 
1871  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  and  later  removed  to  New  York 
City,  where  he  at  present  resides.    He  en- 
gaged largely  in  railroad  building  and  late- 
ly constructed  a  line  known  as  the  Wheel- 
12 


iug  and  Lake  Erie  railroad. 

Mr.  Griggs  married  Miss  Lavonia  C.  Col- 
lar in  Massachusetts.  She  was  ever  a  faith- 
ful wife  and  mother.  Three  children  re- 
sulted from  that  uni(m,  named  Nellie  M., 
wife  of  \V^.  W.  Graham,  of  whom  a  sketch 
will  be  founil  in  another  column,  .\ddie  L., 
wife  of  Gen.  J.  C.  Black,  Commissioner  of 
Pensions,  Washington.  D.  C,  and  Albert  C. 
Griggs,  a  residentof  Wilmington,  Delaware. 
The  Griggs  family  were  members  of  the  M. 
E.  church.  Politically  Mr.  Griggs  is  a  re- 
publican. Mr.  Griggs  is  a  man  of  inlinite 
resources,  untiring  energy  and  great  abili- 
ties. These  have  enabled  him  to  succeed 
well  during  a  life  of  arduous  labor. 


Martin  Rinkuart. 
Fifty-seven  years  ago  Martin  Kinchart  tirst 
set  foot  upon  Champaign  county  soil.  Then 
he  was  a  lad  of  seventeen  years,  with  his 
life  before  him.  Today,  he  is  here.  He  has 
passed  the  mile-stone  of  his  boyhood  and 
early  manhood,  and  is  rapidly  approacliing 
the  one  across  wiio.se  face  is  written  "mature 
age."  The  three  score  years  and  ten  allotted 
to  mankind  have  been  his,  and  nearly  all 
these  years  have  been  passed  within  the 
borders  of  this  county.  To  write  the  history 
of  the  county  is  simply  to  tell  his  story.  The 
hardships  and  privations  endured,  tlie  hopes 
and  fears,  that  alternately  cliased  each  other 
tlitted  across  the  pathway  of  this  sturdy  old 
pioneer  as  he  marched  from  boyhood  dOwn 
to  old  age  in  this  county.  Martin  Rinehart 
was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
Dec.  18,  1813.  His  parents,  Matthias  and 
Elizabeth  (March)  Rinehart  were  natives  of 


65 


PIOyEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


same  county  and  state.  Tliey  came  west  in 
tlie  fall  of  Is'iO.  and  made  a  settlement  on 
the  farm  now  owned  b\  A.  M.  Pauley  in 
Somer  township.  Tiiero  young  Rhiehart 
grew  to  manhood.  In  183:2  during  the  Black 
Hawk  war  lie  enlisted  in  Capt.  Brown's  com- 
pany of  Mounted  Rangers,  and  served  one 
year.  He  furnished  his  own  horse,  gun  and 
clothing.  He  received  for  his  services  one 
dollar  per  day.  He  and  Thomas  Butler  are 
the  only  survivors  of  that  war  living  in 
Champaign  county.  After  this  war  was 
ended  he  returned  home.  In  183.5,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Sena,  daughter  of  Wm.  Corray. 
She  died  in  1878.  The  offspring  of  that 
union  were  the  following  nauied  children: 
Elizabeth,  who  married  William  Hill,  of 
Somer  township:  William  M.,  who  married 
Miss  Mary  Trickle,  they  reside  in  Monroe, 
Green  county,  AVis.  Albert,  who  took  to 
wife,  Elizabeth  Truman,  and  also  live  in  the 
place  last  mentioned.  .Mary,  is  the  wife  of 
T.  J.  Drake,  they  reside  in  Seward  county. 
Neb.  Isaac,  married  Mary  J.  Frame,  and 
live  in  the  latter  named  place.  Seberry, 
married  Jeimie  Morton,  and  are  residents  of 
Monroe,  Green  county.  Wis.  Jennie,  is  the 
wife  of  William  H.  Browntield  and  lives  in 
St.  Joseph  township. 

Mr.  Rinehart  united  with  the  M.  E.  church 
in  1843,  and  still  holds  his  membership  in 
that  religious  denomination.  Politically  he 
votes  with  the  republican  party. 

At  the  time  Mr.  Rinehart  came  to  this 
section  of  the  state  there  were  but  thirty-live 
families  living  within,  what  is  now.  Cham- 
paign county.  He  relates  many  things  that 
occurred  here  in  those  early  days.  We  give 
a  few.  The  year  1831  was  almost  without  a 
summer,  the  cold  weatlier  continued  until 
late  in  the  spring  and  a  hard  frost  set  in  on 
September  20th,  and  it  was  so  severe  that  it 
froze  the  corn,  cob  and  all.  In  consequence 
of  the  loss  of  the  crop,  times  got  close  and 
money  was  exti'emely  scarce.  The  following 
year  the  settlers  were  compelled  to  send  to 
Kentucky  for  their  seed  corn.  In  December 
1836.  a  deep  snow  lay  upon  the  ground.  It 
began  to  rain  and  continued  all  day,  when 
suddenly  it  turned  intensely  cold  making  ice 
over  the  ground  and  freezing  very  hard. 
The  sudden  change  caught  many  persons 
unprepared  and  they  were  frozen  to  death. 
Two  men  named  Hildreth  and  Frame  were 
crossing  Four  Mile  Prairie  on  that  day; 
they  became  bewildered  and  lost  their  way 
and  were  out  when  the  change  came.  They 
killed  their  horses  and  Frame  crawled  inside 
the  body  of  his  horse  for  protection  against 
the  cold.  But  it  proved  his  tomb  as  he  was 
found  therein  frozen  to  death.  Hildreth 
•wandered  around  all  night,  and  when  found 


in  the  morning  was  so  badly  frozen  that 
he  lost  his  toes  and  ringers.  Mr.  R..  also 
speaks  of  the  early  doctors  of  that  day.  Dr. 
Saddler  was  the  first  physician  in  tiie  county 
and  was  counted  a  good  one.  It  is  related 
of  him  that  he  attended  a  family  east  of  Ur- 
bana.  This  family  had  a  large  patch  of  fine, 
ripe  and  juicy  watermelons.  The  doctor 
continued  his  visits  long  after  the  patient 
was  convalescent  and  the  family  di-opped  ui>- 
on  the  idea,  that  the  watermelon  patch  was 
the  chief  attraction,  and  the  cause  of  the 
doctors  repeated  visits.  They  gently  broke 
the  news  to  him  that  his  patient  was  entirely 
well  and  hinted  that  further  visits  were  en- 
tirely superfluous.  The  doctor  went  home 
and  sent  in  a  bill  that  covered  all  the  visits. 
The  family  refused  payment.  Suit  was 
brought  to  recover  the  amomit  when  the 
family  rendered  an  account  for  watermelons 
devoured  by  the  doctor  as  an  offset,  and  ob- 
tained a  small  judgment  against  the  doctor. 
All  of  tiie  neighbors  declared  that  the  decis- 
ion was  a  most  righteous  one.  Many  otlier 
incidents  might  be  mentioned  of  a  similar 
character,  illustrative  of  the  times  we  speak 
of,  but  space  forbids. 

Mr.  Rinehart  was  very  successful  in  life. 
He  secured  a  competency  and  now  in  the 
declining  years  of  his  life,  he  takes  things 
easy. 


Hkxhv  C.  Smith. 
This  well  known  pioneer  and  business 
man,  of  Tolono,  in  this  county,  was  born 
April  1."),  1S3T.  at  New  Bremen.  Auglaize 
county,  Ohio.  His  parents  immigrated  from 
Prussia  in  is:r.,  and  settled  at  New  Bremen, 
O.  His  father,  Christoi)her.  died  when  Hen- 
ry C.  was  only  five  weeks  old.    In  1843  the 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNrY. 


66 


I 


widowed  mother  moved  to  Dayton,  O.  lu 
is4t3  young  Henry  was  taken  to  the  Shaker 
town,  live  miles  from  Dayton.  In  1S49  lie 
ran  away  trom  the  Shakers,  though  they 
tried  hard  to  detain  him,  and  worked  for  the 
father  of  Gen.  George  Crooke  for  the  liber- 
al salary  of  §-2.00  per  month.  In  is.5-i  he  be- 
gan to  learn  the  carpenter  trade  and  served 
as  apprentice,  tln-ee  years;  receiving  •^30  for 
lirst  year,  •■::40  for  second  and  S'M  for  tlurd 
year.  In  18.>5  he  drove  a  herd  of  cows  to 
Fon  duLac.  Wis.  In  is.")!)  he  went  to  Wam- 
pum, Wis. 

In  1857  he  reuioyed  to  Tolono  and  follow- 
ed carpentry  and  contracting.    In  1861  he 
was  married  to  Martha  Penniston,  of  Osh- 
kosh.  Wis.,  who  is  still  living  as   is  also  her 
father  aged  91  years.    In  11-164  he  bought 
land  and  planted  it  in  fruit  trees,  mostly  ap- 
ples and  pears,  and  also  engaged  in   the 
lumber  and  coal  business  in  1S66.    In  188.5 
he  started,  with  his  sons,  in  the  bakery, 
confectionery  and  fancy  groceries  in  Tolono. 
His  children  were:  :Mary  Ellen,  Edward  R., 
Jennie  L.,  Alonzo  H.,  Hattie  E.,  Daisy  E., 
Annie  M.,  and  Arthur  C. ;  the   lirst  named 
died  in  1863.    When  Mr.  Smith  hrst  engag- 
ed in  the  carpenter  business,  there  were 
many  inconveniences   not   met   with  now, 
among  whicli  were  wading  slouglis  and  tall 
prairie  grass  upon  the  trackless  prairies  be- 
fore   roads    became   fashionable.      Rattle- 
snakes too,  were  wont  to  make  unpleasant 
music  for  them  as  they  wended  their  way  to 
build  a  home  for  some  new  "tenderfoot" 
pioneer  of  the  county,  not  to  mention  the 
mosquitos  and  greenheads  that  presented 
their  bills,  with  a  demand  for  instant  settle- 
ment, to  the  knights  of  the  saw  and  the  plane. 
The  rye  cotfee  and  slough  water  they  had  to 
drink  at  some  of  the  places  they  built  houses, 
usually  expedited  the  carpenter  work;  but 
when  a  good,  well  to  do  farmer  was  found 
to  employ  them  who  had  white  wheat  bread 
and  Java  coffee,  the  work  did  not  progress 
so  rapidly.    We  can  prove  this  by  Henry  C. 
Smith  whose  long  residence  and  well  known 
veracity  among  his  neighbors  will  leave  no 
doubt  of  its  truth.    Mr.  Smith  is  apparently 
in  the  prime  of  life  and  is,  to-day,  carrying 
on  a  large  and  lucrative  business.    He  en- 
joys a  good  joke  and  gets  as  much  out  of 
life   as  any  business   man  in    Champaign 
county. 


MvKoN  Stoddaud  IJkown.  M.  D. 
Dr.  Brown  was  born  at  Col  ton,  St.  Law- 
rence Co.,  N.  Y.,  June  39.  Is3-J.  His  lather, 
James  Brown,  was  born  at  Bennington,  Vt., 
and  his  mother,  Sarah  Smith,  was  a  native 
of  Conn.  In  183.5  the  family  moved  to  Tole- 
do, Ohio,  where  the  mother  soon  after  died, 
leaving  the  subject  of  this  sketch  then  but  a 
babe,  to  the  care  of  relatives.  Before  lie 
had  arrived  at  mature  years,  his  father 
moved  to  the  then  territory  of  Oregon,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  Ids  life  and  where 
he  died  a  few  years  since  at  the  aae  of  83 

years. 

In  18.5:2  Dr.  Brown  came  to  Urbana,  and  re- 
mained for  some  months  in  the  employ  of 
H.  M.   Russell,  then  in  the  |>rovision  trade. 

During  the  following  year  he  went  away 
and  remained  for  some  years.  In  May,  18.58, 
he  returned  here  to  make  this  place  his  home, 
bringing  with  him  his  wife,  who  readily 
found  a  warm  place  in  the  regard  of  all  with 
whom  she  came  in  contact.  Dr.  Brown  was 
married  on  Oct.  8th,  185<j,  to  Miss  Sarah  Huif , 
daughter  of  John  Huff,  E^q.,  of  Decatur, 
Rev.  D.  P.  Dunn  officiating.  There  have 
been  born  of  this  alliance  ten  children,  all 
of  whom  are  deceased  except  Harry  L.,  Lucy 
Belle,  Walter  J.,  Blanche,  Grace,  and 
Fred  E.,  who  reside  at  Danville. 

Soon  after  reaching  his  majority  Dr. 
Brown,  in  accord  with  a  cherished  wish,  de- 
termined to  fit  himself  for  the  practice  of 
medicine,  and  so  began  studying  with  that 
end  ill  view.  His  own  and  his  family's  sup- 
port depending  upon  his  labors,  he  con- 
tinued his  studies  luider  great  difHcnlty. 
His  energy  and  determination  of  character 


67 


t^lOXEERS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUM'l\ 


did  not  fail  liiui,  for  having  once  deteiuiined 
upon  success  in  tliat  profession  lie  pressed 
forward  encountering  and  overcoming:  the 
greatest  discouragements.  He  studied  tirst 
with  Dr.  Hoover,  of  Bloomiiigton  in  1854, 
and  afterwards  witli  Dr.  Miller,  at  Urbana. 
from  1S5S  and  on  until  in  1S('>0,  when  he  at- 
tended hislirst  course  of  lectures  in  Chicago. 
Soon  after  that  he  entered  the  army  as  as- 
sistant surgeon  of  the  2oth  Kegiment,  Illin- 
ois Volunteers.  Here  he  had  a  varied  ex- 
perience, such  as  to  eminently  tit  him  for 
the  higli  position  then  and  ever  since  held 
by  him  in  his  profession.  For  eleven 
months  he  was  detailed  for  service  in  the 
U.  S.  general  hospital  at  Nashville,  finding 
time  meanwhile  to  attend  the  classes  of  the 
medical  college  there,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1863.  He  was  with  his  regiment  in 
all  its  rough  experiences  atChickamauga,  and 
in  East  Tennessee.  In  the  spring  of  ls(W, 
when  Sherman  re-o'gani/,ed  his  army  for 
the  Atlanta  cam i)aign,  he  was  detailed  for 
duty  with  his  brigade  tield  hospital,  and  soon 
after,  on  a  competitive  trial  at  the  operating 
table,  was  chosen  one  of  three  operating 
surgeons  for  Gen.  Wood's  division,  in  which 
he  remained  until  the  expiration  of  the 
term  of  service  of  his  regiment.  Upon 
his  return  home  he  at  once  entered  ujjon 
the  practice,  lirst  as  a  partner  with  Dr.  Good- 
win and  afterwards  alone.  At  one  time  he 
sm-rendered  his  practice  to  enter  the  drug 
trade  at  Champaign  for  a  time,  but  after- 
wards again  entered  upon  his  professional 
duties  and  so  continued  until  his  removal  to 
Danville. 

The  doctor  is  emiuently  a  thiuker,  and 
given  to  original  research.  He  will  never 
cease  to  learn  in  his  profession  until  he 
ceases  to  live. 

During  the  war  Dr.  Brown  became  a  free 
Mason,  in  which  order  iie  has  made  great 
advancement  and  is  iiighly  esteemed.  For 
eight  years  he  was  worshipful  master  of 
Urbana  lodge,  and  for  two  years  high  priest 
of  Urbana  chapter  of  royal  arch  masons. 

Upon  the  formation  of  the  republican 
party  Dr.  Brown  heartily  espoused  its  i)rinci- 
ples  and  cast  his  tirst  vote  for  president  for 
Frenmnt,  in  1S5G,  and  since  then  has  uni- 
forndy  voted  with  that  party.  In  18(10  he 
was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Urbana  for 
a  term  of  one  year,  and  afterwards  served 
upon  the  board  of  education. 

About  two  years  since,  Dr.  Brown  removed 
with  his  family  to  Danville.  A  beautiful 
home  on  Fraidvliu  street,  Danville,  is  owned 
and  occui»led  by  him,  to  which  his  old  friends 
and  neighbors  are  most  heartily  welcomed 
by  himself  and  his  accomplished  and  hos- 
pitable wife.    Dr.  Brown  is  and  always  has 


been  noted  for  his  easy,  affable  and  popular 
manners.  He  is  always  courteous  and  liber- 
al in  his  judgments  and  very  rarely,  never 
willingly,  gives  offense  to  his  associates.  In 
a  residence  in  Urbana  of  near  thirty  years 
it  may  probably  be  truthfully  said,  he  never 
made  an  enemy.  While  ever  entertaining 
the  most  ilecided  and  often  radical  opinions 
upon  ])olitical  and  moral  questions,  and 
never  for  a  moment  undecided  as  to  his  own 
course,  he  lias  so  acted  and  spoken  as  to 
cause  no  heartburnings.  His  conduct  has 
always  been  wise,  liberal,  decorous,  yet  in 
nothing  has  he  omitted  to  speak  and  act 
when  princiiile  re(|uireil  it. 


Stkphen  Bovi). 
This  old  pioneer  was  born  December  IT, 
1804,  in  Shelby  county,  Kentucky.  His 
father,  William  Boyd,  and  his  mother,  who 
was  Elizabeth  Wiley,  came  to  this  county  at 
the  same  time  thai  Stephen  himself 
came,  to-wit  in  the  year  18;d1.  The 
father  was  of  Scotch  descent,  while  the 
mother  was  a  German  lady.  They  both  died 
here,  in  September,  18:38,  there  being  but  a 
few  days  between  the  dates  of  their  death. 
Stephen,  when  he  arrived  in  this  county 
from  Shelby  county,  Kentucky,  was  twenty- 
seven  years  old,  and  had  in  1824  married 
Jemima  Kitson  who  died  in  1826,  iu  Ken- 
tucky. He  settled  three  nules  east  of  Ur- 
bana and  lived  there  the  renuiinder  of  his 
life,  following  here  as  he  had  in  his  old 
home,  the  occuiiution  of  a  farmer.  In  183?) 
he  married  Eliza  Kinehart.  His  children 
were  James  Boyd,  a  well-to-do  farmer  who 
now  lives  at  the  old  home  place,  (a  sketch 
of  whose  life  and  his  portrait  appears  else- 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


68 


where.)  John  Mattliias,  who  died  in  18:i8. 
Jemima,  who  died  in  l»4C,.  Elizabetli.  who 
married  Amos  Conway,  now  residing  in 
Dalvota.  Mary,  wiio  married  Frank  Cham- 
plain,  now  residing  in  Cethir  Vale,  Cliautau- 
qua  county,  Kansas,  Eiinna  and  Al  Boyd, 
both  residing  near  l^rbana.  Stepiien  Boyd 
was  always  a  consistent  and  ardent  demo- 
crat. He  died  August  14.  IsTo.  leaving  behind 
him  a  splendid  reputation  for  honesty  and 
square  dealing  among  tliose  who  knew  him 
for  the  long  period  of  time  he  lived  among 
the  early  pioneers.  He  left  to  his  heirs  a 
goodly  estate  and  did  not  owe  a  cent  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  His  living  children  have 
all  done  well  and  are  a  credit  to  the  memo- 
ry of  Stephen  Boyd,  wiiose  record  of  hon- 
esty we  gladly  preserve  for  future  genera- 
tions. 


(tEORCJE  K.  Shawiiax. 
This  old  settler  and  prominent  educator 
of  Champaign  county,  was  horn  near  Fal- 
mouth, Rush  county.  Indiana,  March  •10, 
1S44.  His  father  was  William  M.  Shawhan, 
whose  portrait  and  biograplij'  appears  else- 
where. His  mother  was  Nancy  Kedmond. 
He  came  with  his  father's  family  to  Ray- 
mond township  in  this  county  in  the  spring 
of  I'^.'iCi.  For  three  years  lie  was  deprived  of 
the  opportunity  of  going  to  school  for  the 
reason  that  schools  did  not  get  established 
there  until  in  is.59.  He  then  worked  on  the 
farm  and  attended  school  in  winter  till  1861. 
Though  his  opportunities  were  limited,  he 
had  applied  himself  with  such  industry  that 
he  was  able  to  teach  in  Mil.  He  taught 
three  months  for  tiftj-  tlollars,  and  he  says 
now  he  thinks  that  was  more  than  it  was 
worth.  In  the  winter  of  ls(W-4  he  attended 
school  in  Homer  about  4  nuniths.  He  taught 
two  years  in  Camargo,  Douglas  county,  and 
enrolled  123  pujjils  in  one  room.    The  aver- 


age for  six  months  was  over  70.  Tlie  next 
year  lie  graded  the  school  and  had  an  assist- 
ant. 

In  ISOT  he  married  Sarah  Vista  Brown, 
daugliter  of  Sanuiel  Brown,  an  old  settler  in 
this  county.  She  is  still  living.  They  have 
two  children,  Gertie  and  William  Warren, 
both  at  home  and  attending  school.  He 
joined  the  Christian  church  in  ixfil  and  is 
yet  an  adherent  to  the  doctrines  of  that  sect. 
After  his  marriage  he  taught  four  years  at 
Sidney.  Here  he  saw  his  need  of  a  bet- 
ter eilucation  and  abandoned  teaching  to 
attend  the  University  of  Illinois  in  this 
city.  He  took  the  Literature  and  Science 
course,  graduating  in  IST.5  with  iiigli  honors. 
He  is  prominent  among  the  alumni  of  the 
University,  and  has  been  selected  by  them 
for  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  this 
grand  state  institution.  If  Governor  Ogles- 
by  consults  the  best  interests  of  the  Univer- 
sity he  will  accede  to  their  demand  and  ap- 
point him  to  that  honorable  position.  Dur- 
ing this  period  of  his  career  is  where  the  in- 
domitable pluck  and  energy  that  character- 
izes the  man  was  tirst  displayed.  He  work- 
ed upon  the  University  farm  and  taught  pre- 
paratory classes  to  pay  his  way  through  the 
University. 

He_ solemnly  asserts  that  he  never  should 
have  succeeded  in  getting  through  to  gradu- 
ation at  this  great  University  had  it  not  been 
for  the  self-denial,  ambition  and  assistance 
of  his  wife,  who  was  a  constant  aid  and  in- 
spiration that  never  faltered  in  the  darkest 
hour. 

Graduating  at  the  University,  he  found  all 
the  schools  in  this  county  taken,  so  he  went 
to  Manstield,  l^iatt  county,  and  taught  there 
for  two  years.  Coming  back  to  Homer  in 
1877  he  took  charge  of  the  schools  there  and 
had  taught  four  years  and  two  mouths  upon 
his  fifth  year,  in  1881,  when  he  was  appoint- 
ed county  superintendent  of  schools  of  this 
county  to  ttll  vacancy  caused  by  legislature 
changing  time  of  election.  He  was  nomin- 
ated by  the  republicans  in  1882  for  school 
superintendent  and  was  elected  by  the  larg- 
est majority  of  any  man  on  the  ticket. 

He  has  been  renominated  by  the  republi- 
cans for  re-election  and  will  certainly  be 
triumphantly  elected.  Mr.  Shawhan's  rec- 
ord as  a  school  officer  is  well  known  to  our 
readers.  He  has  brought  the  country  schools 
of  tills  countj-  to  a  higher  standard  than  they 
have  ever  reached  before.  He  was  chairman 
of  the  committee  of  the  aluuuii  that  pressed 
to  a  successful  issue  the  change  of  name  of 
the  University. 

Mr.  Shawhan  is  a  conscientious  worker  in 
the  cause  of  education,  and  does  far  more 
hard  work  and  spends  far  more  hours  of  toil 


69 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


than  is  required  l)y  law  or  conteiiiplateil  by 
the  law-makers,  lie  is  strict  with  reference 
to  exaniinatiuns  of  teachers  and  it  is  impos- 
sible for  a  drniie  or  fraud  to  work  his  or  her 
way  into  the  schools  of  the  county.  He  has 
establisiied  a  high  grade  for  teachers  and  by 
his  efforts  teachers'  conventions  and  organ- 
izations to  improve  their  methods  of  teach- 
ing have  become  numerous.  He  has  inspir- 
ed the  pupils  with  liigh  aims  and  laudable 
ambition  by  keeiiing  before  their  minds  the 
possibilities  to  be  wrought  out  by  hard  work 
and  close  ai)V)lication.  He  has  utilized  the 
columns  of  the  Champaiox  County  Her- 
ald to  accomplish  reforms  in  school  work. 
By  the  free  and  liberal  use  of  this  paper  he 
has  painted  the  school  houses  and  introduc- 
ed trees  ami  pictures,  maiis  and  flowers,  li- 
braries and  beautiful  lawns  to  the  various 
disti-ict-^.  No  man  has  done  more  than  G. 
R.  Shawhan  for  the  good  of  the  schools  of 
this  county,  and  he  is  destined  yet  for  still 
greater  -uccesses  in  his  chosen  calling  as  an 
educator.  


Col.  William  N.  Colku. 
Col.  Coler  was  born  March  l;i,  1837  near 
Mt.  Vernon,  Knox  county,  Ohio.  His  pa- 
rents were  Isaac  and  Amelia  (Nichols)  Co- 
ler. who  resided  in  Knox  county,  Ohio.  Mr. 
Coler's  mother  died  when  lie  was  nine  years 
old;  his  fatiier  married  a  second  wife  and 
moved  to  Illinois  afterward.  Young  Will 
iam  N.  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  re- 
ceived in  the  schools  of  Ohio,  a  good  educa- 
tion. He  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  war  and 
served  his  full  term  in  Company  B.,  ^nd 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteers,  under  Col.  G. 


W.  Morgan.  After  the  Mexican  war  he  en- 
tered the  law  office  of  his  Colonel.  G.  W. 
Morgan,  and  commenced  studying  for  the 
profession  of  law.  He  did  not  finish  there 
but  after  coming  to  Illinois  he  concluded  his 
studies  in  the  office  of  Amzi  McWilliams, 
at  Bloomington.  Illinois.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  the  fall  of  1S51.  He  came  to 
this  county  in  the  spring  of  1S52,  and  being 
pleased  with  .the  country,  concluded  to  make 
this  his  home.  Before  coming  west  he  had 
met.  courted  and  loved  a  maiden  of  the 
Buckeye  state.  Miss  Cordelia  Sim.  August 
9th,  is.>3,  they  were  married  at  the  residence 
of  his  father-in-law.  in  Miller  township, 
Knox  county,  Ohio.  He  and  liis  young  wife, 
together  witii  William  Sim  and  his  wife 
whom  Mr.  Sim  had  married  at  tliesame  time, 
came  to  Urbana  and  locatetl.  Here  he  prac- 
ticed law  for  some  years,  afterwards  remov- 
ing to  Champaign  and  continuing  the  same 
occupation  until  he  removed  to  New  York 
in  1872.  He  had  great  contidence  in  the  de- 
velopment of  this  county  and  while  practic- 
ing law  he  also  dealt  largely  in  real  estate 
on  commission  an<l  on  his  own  account. 
The  county  records  >how  that  he  entered 
large  tracts  of  land  and  did  an  extensive  real 
estate  and  loan  business  here  and  at  Cham- 
paign for  many  years.  Col.  Coler.  with  H. 
K.  Davis,  published  the  tirst  newspaper  in 
this  county,  getting  out  the  tirst  number 
Sept.  2.5.  18.52. 

His  children  are:    Flora  Alice.  Wm.  N., 
Jr.,  Arthur  Grant,  Bird  Sim,  and  Francis 
Walter.    The  daughter  married  James  W., 
sou  of   Thos.   H.  Campbell,   who  was  once 
Auditor  of  Illinois.    Mr.  Campbell  is  presi- 
dent of  First  National  Bank  at  Huron,  Da- 
kota,  and  resides  there.    William  N.,  Jr., 
resides  in  New  York  with  his  father,  and  is 
in  business  with  him  carrying  on  a  large  and 
lucrative  business  as  brokers  and  dealers  in 
nuniicipal  bonds,  at  No.  11  Pine  street,  N.  Y. 
Arthur  Grant,  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years;  the  others  are  in  school  and  reside 
at  home.    Col.  Coler  organized  the  2.5th  reg- 
iment Illinois  Vols.  Infty,  and  went  to  the 
front  early  in  the  war.    He  was  the  Colonel 
of  the  2.5th  until  the  fall  of  18C2,  when  he 
resigned   and  resumed  business  at  Cham- 
paign, where  he  remained  until  he  removed 
to  New  York.    There   he   resides  doing  a 
prosperous  business,  surrounded  by  all  the 
comforts,  and  in  fact,  the  luxuries  of  life, 
enjoying  splendid  liealtli.    Col.   Coler  is  a 
warm  liearted,  generous,  and  enterprising 
man  who  has  made  warm  friends  wherever 
his  lot  was  cast.    He  has  untiring  energy, 
plenty  of  pluck  and  splendid  abilities  as  a 
business  man.    Possessing  tirm  address  with 
his  good  business  talents  he  has  been  sue- 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAiay  COUNTY. 


70 


cessful  in  life  and  knows  how  to  entertain 
his  friends  in  the  lionie  he  has  secured  in 
the  beautiful  residence  city  of  Brooklyn. 


(iii.Ks  F.  McGek 
Was  born  in  Missouri,  Ajirii  25th,  lS2(j.  He 
is  the  son  of  James  C.  auvl  Uehecca  (Canna- 
dy)  McGee.  His  (larents  removed  to  Ver- 
milion county,  niinols,  about  ls-2()  and  set- 
tled at  the  old  salt  works,  near  where  Oak- 
wood  now  stands.  In  the  fall  of  l>!o2  Giles 
came  to  ChamiJaiyn  county  and  bought  320 
acres  of  land  on  section  one  of  Philo  town- 
ship. There  lie  has  lived  ever  since.  When 
he  purchased  tlie  land  it  was  raw  and  unim- 
proved, but  he  has  developed  it  and  placed 
it  all  under  a  higli  state  of  cultivation  and, 
to-day,  he  has  one  of  the  hnest  farms  in  the 
county.  Mr.  McGee  was  the  first  settler  in 
Philo  township  Soon  alter  him  came  Wil- 
liam Hooper.  Lucius  Eaton  and  E.  W.  Park- 
er, and  later  came  others.  When  he  first 
settled  there  wolves  were  so  numerous  that 
he  could  not  raise  sheep.  The  Wabash  rail- 
road and  town  of  Philo  were  located  after 
Mr.  McGee  settled  there.  He  was  so  far 
away  fiom  civilization,. so  to  speak,  that  he 
was  not  called  upon  by  the  a.ssessor  for  three 
years  after  he  opened  up  his  farm.  Deer 
were  still  plentiful.  Mr.  McGee  relates  a 
fight  he  had  with  a  deer.  He  run  one  down 
with  his  horse ;  when  he  came  up  with  it  he 
jumped  from  his  horse  on  to  the  deer,  he 
was  armed  with  a  club  only;  the  deer  stood 
at  bay  and  gave  fight,  Mr.  McGee  finally 
killed  the  deer,  but  it  was  at  the  expense  of 
badly  torn  clothes,  many  bruises  and  a  used 
up  condition  generally.    After  that  experi- 


ence he  needed  to  be  convinced  that  a  deer 
was  \ery  dead  before  he  took  hold  of  it. 

His  marriage  took  place  in  Vermilion 
county,  Illinois,  in  18.5.3;  Miss  Elizabeth 
Smoat  was  the  lady  of  his  choice.  She  was 
born  in  Vermilion  county,  Illinois,  in  1^:^, 
and  is  still  living.  They  are  the  parents  of 
ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  Their 
names  are  here  given  in  the  order  of  their 
birth:  AVilliam  F.,  John  H.,  who  married 
Lucy  McDonald;  Nathan  K.,  who  took  to 
wife  Jennie  Ilice;  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Andrew 
Longbrake;  Ida  B.  married  Charles  Peimy; 
Curtis  E.  took  to  wife  Luta  Power:  Thom- 
as D..  Walter  S.  and  Charles  H.  are  still  be- 
neath the  parental  roof,  Carrie  L.  died  at 
the  age  of  two  years. 

Mr.  McGee  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church  since  he  was  fifteen  years 
of  age.  In  politics  he  votes  with  the  repub- 
lican party.  He  is  one  of  our  most  success- 
ful farmers,  and  has,  by  a  life  of  honesty, 
established  a  splendid  character  for  integri- 
ty and  neighborly  excellence  and  is  a  fitting 
forerunner  of  the  peoi>Ie  who  have  made 
Philo  townshliJ  a  garden  of  beaut \. 


James  C.  Wake 
Was  born  May  27th,  1H41,  at  North  Lewis- 
burg,  Champaign  county,  O.  His  parents, 
were  Lester  Ware  and  Jane  (Iteid)  Ware, 
of  Ohio.  They  came  to  Illinois  at  the  same 
time  the  subject  of  this  sketch  came,  in  l!s.54, 
but  removed  further  west,  to  Iowa,  in  18.56. 
As  before  stated,  James  C.  Ware  arrived 
with  his  father's  family  at  Mahomet  when 
he  was  only  thirteen  years  old.  Soon  after 
their  arrival,  five  members  were  taken  down 
with  small-pox  in  a  most  malignant  form, 
having  been  exposed  at  Terre Haute,  Indiana. 


71 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAiay  roL'A'Tl' 


As  no  help  could  be  obtained  for  either  love 
or  money.  James  C.  had  to  do  all  the  mus- 
ing and  cooking.  Three  of  his  sisters  died 
and  were  buried  by  members  of  tlie  family. 
Stiangers  in  a  new  couutry.  with  such  a 
dreaded  disease  among  them,  it  was  difficult 
to  get  any  assistance,  and  had  it  not  been 
for  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  wiiicli  Mr. 
Ware's  father  was  a  member,  the  family 
would  have  sutfered.  James  C.  went  with 
his  father  and  family  to  Iowa,  in  lS5(j,  but 
in  LSoS  he  returned  to  Maliomet,  a  young 
man  of  seventeen  years,  having  worked 
most  of  the  way  from  Iowa,  here,  and  hav- 
ing upon  his  arrival,  two  dollars  as  his  cap- 
ital to  commence  business  upon ;  but  he  was 
chock  full  of  days  works  and  he  proceed- 
ed to  invest  tliis  in  farming  at  Maiiomet. 
Soon  tlie  war  came,  and  as  it  did  with  hun- 
di'eds  of  thousands  of  brave  young  men,  it 
interfered  witii  the  even  tenor  of  their  bus- 
iness life.  Young  Ware  enlisted  in  the  tirst 
company  that  was  organized  in  the  county; 
the  company  not  being  accepted  he  enlisted 
again,  tliis  time  in  Co.  1,  2oth  Reg.  111.  Vol. 
Inf 'ty.  He  was  in  active  service  all  through 
Ills  term  and  was  never  sick  or  in  hospital 
until  lie  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chick- 
amauga,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  hip 
and  sent  to  the  hospital.  He  remained  here 
and  on  light  duty  at  Louisville,  Ky..  for  a 
few  months,  then  returned  to  his  regiment 
and  remained  at  the  front  until  his  term 
was  served.  He  bore  the  colors  of  his  reg- 
iment in  several  hard  fought  battles.  He 
was  detailed  by  Major  General  Tliomas  for 
duty  in  secret  service  in  the  Army  of  the 
Soutii.  but  was  wounded  before  tlie  time 
came  for  him  to  report.  He  was  selected 
by  the  officers  of  his  regiment,  as  Sergeant 
Major  of  Gen.  Kosecrans"  Roll  of  Honor 
Corps  whieli  that  General  commenced  to  or- 
ganize, but  ilid  not  complete.  On  his  re- 
turn from  the  war  he  concluded  to  settle 
down  to  the  business  of  life.  He  had  met 
and  admired,  Mildred,  the  daughter  of  Jon- 
athan Scott,  (one  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
county  and  a  man  of  character).  Subse- 
quently, in  September,  l<s(J-t,  he  married  her. 
There  were  born  to  them  seven  dnldren, 
all  living,  to-wit:  Mae.  Maude.WiJbur,  Wal- 
ter, p:flie,  Bertliaand  :MiIdnMl.  Mrs.  Ware 
died  October  13, 1884, 

In  l>vs;i,  Mr.  Ware  was  chosen  by  his  party 
as  candidate  for  Sherilf  and  was  triumphant- 
ly elected.  He  is  now  serving  his  term  of 
four  years  to  tlie  entire  satisfaction  of  the 
people.  He  was  supervisor  of  Maiiomet  for 
four  years.  He  is  a  republican  in  politics 
and  votes  as  he  shot  wliile  carrying  a  mus- 
ket in  the  army.  He  has  always  followed 
farming  and  stock  raising  and  has  been  very 


successful.  He  leaned  towards  draft  horses 
and  has  made  that  branch  of  the  business  a 
specialty.  He  lias  brought  to  the  county 
many  Normans  and  Clydesdales  as  good  as 
could  be  found  in  Scotland  or  France.  He 
believes  in  keeping  full  Itlooded  stock,  and 
says  tliat  a  well  bred  man  is  better  than  a 
"scrub."' 

He  joined  the  Baptist  cliurch  in  Mahomet, 
in  1N.5S.  Mr.  Ware  is  of  a  social  turn  of 
mind  and  enjoys  a  good  story  as  well  as  any 
one.  He  can  make  the  war  historv  of  him- 
self and  comrades  exceeiliugly  racy,  when 
he  recites  it  with  the  necessary  embellish- 
ments. He  is  pioniinent  in  the  G.  A.  R., 
and  at  the  camp  tires  of  the  old  soldiers  he 
takes  an  acti\  e  part  where  his  good  memo- 
ry and  ability  to  talk  affords  much  amuse- 
ment as  well  as  instruction  to  his  comrades. 
He  is  genial  in  his  nature,  honest  in  his 
dealings,  has  been  faithful  to  every  trust  he 
has  assumed,  and  has  many  warm  friends 
among  a  people  witli  whom  he  lias  lived  for 
more  than  thirty  years. 


.luiiN  (;i;i:k. 

"Goncrations  come  and  generations  go, 
but  time  goes  on  forever."  A  geneiation  of 
men  have  come  and  gone  since  John  Gere 
came  to  Urhana  and  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business.  He  is,  so  far  as  our  knowl- 
edge extends,  the  oldest  merchant  doing 
business  in  Champaign  county. 

He  was  born  among  the  hills  and  (ireen 
mountains  of  Vermont,  so  famous,  like  all 
hill  countries,  for  producing  men  of  large 
stature  and  brawny,  sinewy  forms.  Mr. 
Gere  was  not  an  exception  to  the  rule.  Al- 
though he  has  reached  nearly  foui*  score 
years,  he  bears  about  him  j'et,  the  evidences 


PIONEERS    OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


72 


of  an  athletic  form  that  time  with  all  of  its 
ravages  has  not  been  able  to  subdue.  We 
judge,  and  in  fact  it  is  said  of  him.  that  in 
his  younger  days  when  youth  lent  vigor  and 
strength  to  him  that  he  was  a  bad  man  to 
tacKle  or  to  land  upon  his  back.  Tradition 
further  relates  that  he  was  not  avei'se  to  a 
trial  of  feats  of  strength,  muscle  and  endur- 
ance, but  rather  courted  it  on  all  proper  oc- 
casions. 

He  was  born  in  Randolph  county,  Ver- 
mont, February  11,  1811.  His  parents,  John 
and  Polly  (Clark)  Gere  were  natives  of  the 
same  state.  The  fannly  moved  to  western 
New  York  and  in  18:^0  the  entire  family 
came  west  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Clark 
county,  where  John  Gere  senior  died.  John, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  remained  in 
Clark  county  until  the  spring  of  1847,  when 
he  came  to  Urbana.  In  June  following  he 
eml)arked  in  the  mercantile  business,  and 
opened  a  geneial  store  on  the  comer  where 
now  stands  the  Herald  building.  He  con- 
tinued there  for  two  years  when  he  and  his 
brother,  James  S.,  erected  a  pretentious 
frame  building  on  the  ground  now  occupied 
by  his  present  store  building.  It  was,  in  its 
day,  the  largest  store  building  in  the  county. 
Large  as  it  was,  however,  it  had  to  give  way 
to  the  march  of  progress.  The  same  build- 
ing stands  innnediately  north  of  the  Her- 
ald oflice  and  has  done  duty  in  the  past  as 
a  blacksnaith  and  general  repair  shop.  Mr. 
Gere  met  with  serious  loss  in  the  destruction, 
not  only  of  his  store  building  but  of  his 
dwelling  house  as  well,  in  the  disastrous  fire 
of  1871  that  swept  away  half  of  the  city. 
But  nothing  daunted,  l\e  at  once  began  the 
erection  of  his  present  biulding,  and  strug- 
gled through  manfully  and  paid  one  hundred 
cents  on  every  dollar.  There  has  been  no 
time  in  the  past  thirty-eight  years  that  he 
could  not  buy  all  the  goods  he  wanted  and 
more.  His  credit  was  always  A  No.  1  where- 
ever  he  was  known.  This  is  a  record  that 
any  man,  particularly  a  business  man,  can 
be  proud  of.  He  passed  through  all  the  great 
disturbances  in  values,  up  through  intiation, 
and  down  to  specie  payment,  through  finan- 
cial crises  without  number,  in  a  period  of 
more  financial  disasters  and  sudden  change* 
in  values  than  any  country  ever  saw.  Yet 
midst  them  ail  he  maintained  his  record  for 
integrity  and  prompt  payment  and  honest 
settlement  of  every  obligation  that  appear- 
ed against  him.  While  he  has  not  been  as 
successful  as  some  others  in  the  accumula- 
tion of  wealth,  yet  he  is  richer  in  the  inher- 
itance of  a  name  against  which  there  ap- 
pears no  blot  or  stain.  The  record  and  char- 
acter of  such  men  teaches  the  rising  genera- 
tions that  after  all  a  fair  and  honorable 
13 


name  is  the  best  heritage  to  leave  to  posteri- 
ty. 

Mr.  Gere  has  been  particularly  unfortun- 
ate in  his  helpmeets.  He  married  Emily 
Catron  in  18.38.  She  died  some  years  later. 
He  subsequently  married  Miss  Sarah  Davis, 
then  Mrs.  Phoebe  J.  Dare,  both  of  whom  are 
dead.  In  January,  1873,  he  married  his  pres- 
ent wife.  Miss  Harriet  A.  Crissey.  Three 
of  Mr.  Gere's  sons  are  living,  viz:  George 
W.,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Champaign.  He 
married  Miss  Mary  Lee.  Warren  M.  is  in 
business  with  his  father.  Frank  P.  is  depu- 
ty postmaster.  Politically  Mr.  Gere's  pre- 
dilections have  been  in  the  direction  of  the 
democratic  narty.  He  has  always  been  a 
very  temperate  man  and  has  advocated  the 
cause  of  prohibition  for  many  years.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  city  council  when  the 
city  was  first  organized  and  was  an  alderman 
for  over  twenty  years. 


Lieut.  Samuel  Osgood 
Was  born  in  Gardner,   Maine,  m  1807.    His 
father  antl  mother  were  puritans  and  came 
to  this  country  from  England  and  settled  in 
Massachusetts. 

Sanmel,  when  a  young  man,  came  to  Law- 
renceburg,  Ind.,  and  was  married  there  in 
1830  to  Miss  Iluldah  Cheek,  whose  father 
was  a  wealthy  slave  owner  named  Page 
Cheek  and  noted  for  his  hospitality  and  gen- 
erosity. The  children  of  this  marriage  are 
as  follows:  Orlando,  Mary,  William,  Lo- 
randa,  Belle.  Eva,  Missouri,  Charles,  Samuel, 
Collins,  Enuna  anil  Aifffti.  He.  with  four  of 
his  children,  united  with  the  Baptist  church 
in  1848. 


73 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGy  COUSTY. 


He  was  a  wliij;:  wliile  that  party  livetl.  was 
an  oriiiiiial  abolitionist,  and  later  a  republi- 
can, luitil  bis  death.  He  served  two  terms 
as  sherilT,  of  Dearborn  county,  Ind.,  was  a 
leader  in  i)()litics  and  on  account  of  his  pop- 
ularity, a  town  was  named  after  him— "Os- 
good." in  Indiana. 

At  the  close  of  his  second  term,  his  eldest 
son  being  a  mute  from  the  time  he  was 
three  years  old.  and  having  graduated  from 
the  deaf  and  dumb  institute  in  Indianapolis, 
came  to  Kankakee  where  he  accidentally 
siiot  himself  while  hunting.  This  led  Mr. 
Osgood  to  move  to  this  state.  When  his  son 
recovered  he  moved  to  Urbana,  \n  lf^54.  and 
bought  100  acres  of  land  one  and  a  half 
miles  south  of  Urbana.  He  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  here  for  several  years. 

When  tlie  wai'  broke  out  he  was  54  years 
old,  but  when  urged  to  remain  at  home,  he 
replied  "I'll  never  be  too  old  to  serve  my 
country,  and  I'll  never  surrender  to  the  reb- 
els." He  kept  his  word  by  offering  up  his 
life;  at  the  battle  of  Cumberland  (Jap. 
January  3,  1864,  our  troops  were  driven 
back;  he  refused  to  fall  back  with  his  regi- 
ment, and  when  told  to  surrender,  for  an- 
swer lired  into  the  ranks  of  his  would-be 
captors.  Six  times  he  thus  answered  the 
command  of  the  enemy  to  smreuder  and 
sacriliced  his  life  then  and  there  by  refusing 
to  be  taken  alive.  Charles  at  eighteen  and 
Samuel  at  the  age  of  sixteen  entered  the 
service  with  their  father,  in  the  same  com- 
pany. His  son  William  was  captain  in  the 
'2.5th  Ohio  regiment.  In  the  same  battle  in 
which  Lieut.  Osgood  was  killed  his  son 
Charles  was  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Lib- 
by  prison  where  he  died  of  starvation  in  a 
few^  months.  His  son  Samuel  was  wounded 
in  the  same  battle,  taken  prisoner  and  sent 
to  Andersonville,  but  by  tiie  aid  of  an  okl 
negro  he  escaped,  traveling  eight  nights  and 
lying  in  the  swamps  by  day. 

Lieut.  Osgood  was  a  man  of  strong  intel- 
lect and  was  impulsive  and  generous  to  a 
fault.  He  was  an  incessant  reader,  Shakes- 
peare being  his  favorite  author.  He  was  as 
brave  a  man  as  ever  gave  his  life  to  liis 
country. 


Anciur.Ai.n  .Ma];tix  Kkhk. 

This  well  known  old  settler,  of  Chauipaigu 
county,  was  born  August  1"2.  ISOI,  in  Surry 
county,  ^orth  Carolina.  He  was  descended 
di  his  father's  side  from  a  strong  and  ener- 
getic stock  of  Scottish  ancestors.  His 
mothers  maiden  name  was  Miss  Sarah  Mar- 
tin, and  she  was  of  English  descent. 

The  Martins  are  known  in  the  South  as  an 
intelligent  and  patriotic  family,  strongly  de- 
voted to  the  union.  One  generation  of  the 
men  had  fought  to  build  the  union,  and  in 
after  times  another  generation  foujrht  to 
save  that  union,  when  armed  treason  sought 
to  tear  it  dow^i.  Colonel  Jack  ^Martin  was 
engaged  in  several  daring  exploits  against 
the  tories,  and  afterwards  (ieorge  and  Sam- 
uel Martin  fought  bravely  for  the  union  dur-« 
ing  the  rebellion. 

Mr.  Kerr  was  raised  on  his  father's  farm 
and  was  educated  by  his  imcle  Col.  Martin. 

May  1st,  18.31,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sallie  Ann  Fitzgerald  in  the  old  town  of 
Rockford.  His  wife,  who  shared  with  her 
husband  his  joys  and  sorrows,  and  was  to 
him  a  constant  help  during  all  the  scenes 
and  changes  of  their  domestic  life  in  three 
different  states,  for  nrore  than  half  a  century, 
is  still  living.  She  has  ever  been  an  indus- 
trious and  charitable  woman,  a  loving  mother 
and  a  devoted  wife. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  them :     Mary 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


74 


Ann,  James  P.,  Saiali  E.,  Thomas  John  W., 
L.,  Fiances  C,  Martha  M.,  liVde  Caroline 
and  George  Martin:  all  ot  whom  are  living, 
but  two.  Sarah  died  October  7,  ISo'i,  George 
died  September  1(>,  1><M. 

In  1>^41,  Mr.  Kerr  removed  his  family  to 
Tennessee,  where  he  resided  till  l^^-il,  when 
he  came  to  Urbana,  and  was  a  continuons 
resident  of  the  county  till  his  death. 

After  reaching  this  county  he  built  a  hotel, 
known  as  tlie  I'nion  hotel,  which  artorded 
shelter  and  substantial  hospitality  for  the 
public,  and  it  was  liere  that  the  old  settlers 
of  the  county  always  stopped,  especially 
during  the  sessions  of  eoiut,  and  here  they 
talked  of  and  lived  over  the  narly  days.  A 
great  many  movers  on  their  way  to  Iowa  and 
other  western  states,  who  stopped  at  this 
hotel  were  induced  by  Mr.  Kerr,  to  make 
their  homes  in  Champaign  county,  which  he 
regarded  as  the  garden  spot. 

In  1S.5G,  he  bought  of  the  I.  C.  R.  R.  Co., 
320  acres  of  land  which  he  afterwards  im- 
proved. This  land  is  now  known  as  the  Juo. 
O.  Beaty  farm,  in  Somer  township. 

At  ditferent  times  during  his  life,  Mr.  Kerr 
followed  farming,  yet  it  seemed  to  be  his 
lot  to  serve  the  jieople  in  some  capacity,  and 
he  always  discharged  his  duties  with  tidelity 
and  in  a  manner  entirely  satisfactory  to  the 
people.  He  hlled  the  oftices  of  constable 
and  deputy  sheriff  in  North  Carolina,  and  in 
Tennessee  where  his  abilities  were  known, 
he  was  almost  contiimally  in  office.  His 
relatives  were  also  active  men,  and  strong 
supporters  of  the  luiion  during  the  war. 
After  coming  to  this  ccmnty  he  was  twice 
elected  coroner;  also  he  was  deputy  sheriff' 
for  many  years  and  liad  charge  of  the  county 
jail. 

When  quite  a  young  man  he  accompanied 
TjTa  Glenn,  one  of  the  most  extensive  negro 
traders  in  North  Carolina,  to  Georgia,  with 
a  large  number  of  slaves.  Mr.  Glenn  was  so 
well  pleased  with  Mr.  Kerr  that  he  offered 
to  make  him  a  full  partner  in  the  traffic. 
He  could  have  made  a  fortune  iu  the  busi- 
ness T)ut  the  sorrow  and  anguish  he  saw 
when  families  were  separated  and  the  cruel- 
ties and  horrors  of  slavery  were  such  that 
he  declined. 

Mr.  Kerr  believed  iu  the  Universalist  doc- 
trine, yet  he  did  not  belong  to  the  church. 
He  was  well  posted  in  the  scriptures,  being 
a  constant  reader  of  the  bible  during  the 
last  twelve  years  of  his  life. 

In  all  his  business  and  dealings  with  men 
he  was  industrious,  sy.stematic  and  perfectly 
honest.  He  seemed  to  have  a  natural  genius 
as  a  mechanic ;  could  make  almost  anything 
he  wanted,  and  was  a  brick  mason,  and  shoe 
maker  which  he  followed  as  occasion  demand- 


ed.   He  was  a  man  of  broad  friendship  and 
great  hospitality.    He  enjoyed  the  society  of 
his  neighbors  and  friends  whom  he  liked  to 
talk  with  and  have  them  eat  at  Instable. 
Mr.  Kerr  was  fond   of  nmsic,   and  was  a 

splendid  performer  on  the  violin.  He  made 
the  instrument  on  which  he  learned  to  play. 

He  looked  on  the  bright  side  of  life  and 
made  the  best  of  every  thing.  He  never 
looked  down  upon  any  one  below  him,  nor 
looked  up  to  any  one  above  him  in  life. 
Always  acconnuodating,  open  hearted  and 
free,  the  poor  and  needy,  found  in  him  a 
true  friend. 

Mr.  Kerr  died  on  the  second  day  of  .June, 

1885,  at  his  residence  in  Urbana.  in  the  S4th, 
year  of  his  age. 


Gk.nkkai.  S.  T.  l>i  xkv. 
This  old  citizen  of  our  county  was  born  in 

Greencastle,  Indiana,  in  November,  188.5. 
Emigrated  with  his  parents  to  this  city  in 
the  following  April.  He  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  of  age.  In  is.5fj 
he  engaged  iu  merchandising,  which  he 
followed  until  1862,  when  he  sold  out  the 
drug  store  of  Busey  &  Miller  to  enter  the 
service  of  his  country.  He  obtained  a  com- 
mission from  Gov.  Yates,  to  recruit  a  com- 
pany with  which  he  went  into  camp  at 
Kankakee,  August  6,  1862.  Was  elected 
captain  of  company  B,  76th  Illinois  volunteer 
infantry,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  regi- 
ment was  elected  lieutenant-colonel.  Aug. 
22  went  south  to  Columbus,  Kentucky,  then 
the  base  of  supplies  for  Grant's  army,  at 
Corinth;  thence  to  Bolivar,  Tenn.  Went 
with  Grant  to  Coffeyville,  Mississippi,  gar- 
risoned Holly  Springs  and  regiment  was 
rear  guard  on  return.   He  became  colonel  of 


r 


75 


PloyEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  CUVA'T1\ 


regiment  in  April,  is;:;,  and  led  his  regiment 
to  join  Grant's  army  in  rear  ol'  Vicksburg, 
and  landed  at  Chickasaw  Bayou,  the  night 
Grant  drove  the  rebels  into  Yicksl)urg.  His 
division  being  sent  to  Snyder's  Bluff  to  guard 
the  rear,  the  officers  of  the  division  circulat- 
ed petition  to  Grant  to  send  them  to  the 
front.  Colonel  liusey  refused  to  sign  it, 
stating  that  General  Grant  was  iu  conuuand 
and  it  was  the  duty  of  a  brave  sohlier  to 
take  any  position  assigned  him,  and  not  an- 
noy the  commanding  general  who  was  re- 
sponsible for  results;  when  chided  by  other 
officers  he  quietly  remarked.  "The  76th  is 
ready  to  go  when  and  where  it  is  ordered 
anil  will  do  the  best  it  knows  how,  but  I 
trust  I  have  no  officer  willing  to  seek  promo- 
tion by  needlessly  sacriticing  a  single  man ;" 
three  days  later  they  were  ordered  to  extreme 
left:  the  first  night  two  of  the  loudest  boast- 
ing regiments,  most  anxious  for  light,  were 
surprised  and  routed  with  114  men  taken 
prisoners;  the  76th  turned  out,  prevented 
what  might  have  been  a  general  rout,  ad- 
vanced the  line  on  river  bank,  afterwards 
took  and  held  the  most  advanced  position  on 
the  entire  line  until  the  surrender.  He  led 
his  gallant  regiment  thence  to  Jackson, 
Miss.,  held  the  post  of  honor,  the  extreme 
right,  during  the  siege.  Colonel  Busey  was 
the  first  union  officer  in  the  city  after  the 
evacuation  by  the  rebel  troops.  He  won  the 
gratitiule  of  citizens  by  his  efforts  in  subdu- 
ing fire  and  restraining  the  lawless.  He  re- 
fused promotion  to  Brigadier  General,  be- 
cause he  didn't  want  to  leave  his  regiment. 
Later  he  was  offered  connnand  of  the  post 
Natchez,  and  urged  by  citizens  and  soldiers 
to  accept;  thisjihe  declined  for  same  reason. 
His  regiment  was  then  attached  to  the  Re- 
serve Corps  of  Mississippi  river.  During  this 
time  he  had  led  several  expeditions  into  the 
country  around.  He  and  his  regiment  left 
^Memphis,  January  1st,  ixc>r>.  and  was  the 
first  to  report  to  General  Canby,  at  New 
Orleans,  of  that  vast  araiy  afterwards  oper- 
ating against  Mobile.  He  went  to  Pensaco- 
la,  Florida,  thence  to  Tollard,  Alabama,  and 
thence  down  the  country  to  Blakely,  the 
last  stronghold  to  Mobile,  which  was  car- 
ried by  assault,  April !),  after  a  hot  siege  of 
ten  days.  The  oldi,76th  Avas  the  first  inside 
the  works  and  suffered  more  loss  than  all 
the  rest  of  the  command.  Col.  Busey  was 
the  second  man  on  the  rebel  works,  urging 
his  men  to  deeds  of  bravery,  the  other  man 
was  killed  and  the  Colonel  was  wounded 
after  an  almost  hand  to  hand  confiict  with 
three  different  men,  each  of  whom  was  per- 
suaded to  "lay  down."  He  was  sent  to  the 
hospital  at  New  Orleans,  returned  in  June; 
thence  he  went  to  Texas,  was  nmstered  for 


discharge  at  Galveston,  and  was  discharged 
at  Chicago,  August  G,  lSC.5.  He  was  after- 
wards commissioned  as  Brevet  Brigadier 
General,  on  recommendation  of  Generals 
Andrews,  Steel  and  General  (iraiit,  for  gal- 
lantry in  leailing  his  regiment  in  the  as- 
sault on  Fort  Blakely. 

So  our  readers  will  see  lie  is  entitled  to 
the  appellation  of  "General,"  which  we 
give  him  at  the  head  of  this  article.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  followed  farming  until 
the  fall  of  1S07.  when  he  and  his  brother  S. 
H.  organized  Busey  Bros.'  Bank.  He  after- 
wards bought  out  his  brother's  interest  and 
associated  with  him  his  nephew,  M.  W.  Bu- 
sey, and  the  bank  is  known  as  Busey's  Bank. 

General  Busey  married  late  in  life,  but  he 
is  an  exception  to  the  rule  in  such  cases,  for 
he  succeeded  in  winning  an  exceptionally 
excellent  lady,  to  whom  he  was  married 
Dec.  2.5. 1S77,  at  Delphi,  In<liana.  Mrs.  Bu- 
sey, who  was  Miss  ;Mary  E.  Bowen,  the 
daughter  of  a  prominent  citizen  of  Delphi, 
is  still  living  and  they  have  had  born  tothein 
twochildren,  both  girls.  Marietta  and  Bertha. 
He  has  been  thrice  elected  mayor  of  this 
city,  which  oHice  he  now  holds,  and  dis- 
charges its  duties  with  signal  ability  while 
he  presides  over  one  of  the  strongest  and 
safest  financial  institutions  of  the  county.  A 
brave  soldier,  a  public-spirited  citizen,  a 
business  man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  he 
has  the  respect  and  conhdence  of  all  our 
people.        


,George  G.  Weuhki: 
Was  born  in  1830  in  Shelby  county,    Ken- 
tucky.   His  father  was  William  T.,  and  his 


ill 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGX  ((irXTY 


76 


mother  Nancy  (Baskett)  Webber.  They 
brought  young  George  to  his  western  home 
at  tlie  age  of  three  years,  coming  to  Urbana 
in  the  fall  of  lS3o  from  Shelby  countj-,  Ky., 
and  settled  on  the  farm  just  east  of  town, 
upon  wliich  George  G..  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  with  his  family,  now  reside.  He  re- 
ceived an  English  education  in  the  primi- 
tive schools  of  the  time,  and  grew  to  man- 
hood and  will  doubtless  spend  the  years  of 
his  old  age'on  the  spot  where  his  infant  feet 
were  i)lanted  fifty-three  years  ago. 

Thirty-four  years  ago,  to-wit,  in  I'^-Vi,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  E. 
McFarland,  who  is  yet  living  at  the  age  of 
lixty-six  years.  Following  are  the  names  of 
their  children:  Flora  M.,  at  home,  Fannie, 
who  is  married  to  James  Thorpe,  foreman 
in  the  I..  B.  and  W.  shops  at  Urbana",  Laura, 
who  is  at  home,  Frank  B..  married  to  Mar- 
garet McConnell  and  resides  at  Urbana. 
Harry  E.,  married  to  Nellie  Boysee,  and  a 
tinner  in  the  L.  E.  and  W.  shops  at  Lima, 
Ohio,  Mae,  who  died  very  suddenly  a  few 
years  ago  just  as  she  was  approaching  wom- 
anhood, and  Fred,  the  youngest,  who  is  a 
fine  nuisician,  and  resiiles  at  home.  In  fact 
the  entire  family  are  natural  musicians. 
William  T.  Webber,  the  father  of  George, 
donated  20  acres  upon  which  the  city  of  Ur- 
bana was  founded.  He  and  Col.  Isaac  Bu- 
sey  giving  to  the  county  the  land  which 
comprises  the  original  town  of  Urbana,  the 
consideration  being  the  location  of  the  coun- 
ty seat  at  Urbana.  William  T.  Webber  was 
one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  pioneers 
an<l  did  much  to  buUd  up  the  town  and 
county.  He  died  in  1S40.  The  mother  of 
George  died  in  1860,  having  lived  with  George 
and  family  since  the  death  of  her  luisband. 
Mr.  Webber  is  a  man  of  broad  and  chari- 
table views  and  in  his  religious  belief  is  a 
Universalist. 

Politically  Mr.  Webber  has  clung  to  the 
political  faith  of  his  fathers  and  continues 
to  be  a  democrat  of  stalwart  principles,  be- 
lieving in  the  Jeffersonian  ideas  of  democ- 
racy. He  has  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising  all  the  mature  years  of  his  life.  He 
has  kept  up  with  the  foremost  of  our  far- 
mers and  stock  raisers  and  is  now  residing 
on  the  old  home  farm  where  his  parents  liv- 
ed and  died,  where  he  has  seen  this  county 
gi'ow  with  his  own  growth  until  at  the  sum- 
mit almost,  of  a  successful  life  he  can  com- 
pare with  much  interest  and  describe  very 
entertainingly  the  Champaign  county  of  the 
present  and  the  Champaign  county  of  his 
boyhood  days. 


JaMKS  L.  boMKHS. 

Mr.  .Sduiers  was  burn  at  Kockford,  Surry 
county.  North  Carolina,  in  ISir.  His  father 
was  Waitman  Somers.  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1S41.  His  mother  was  Miss  Caro- 
line Durham,  who  died  in  North  Carolina. 
His  father  settled  north  of  Big  Grove,  on 
what  is  now  section  '22,  Somer  to  wnship. 
James  L.,  came  in  1S43,  and  settled  same 
place.  He  first  married  Miss  Jemima  Ham- 
lin, who  died  soon  after  reaching  this  coun  ty 
leaving  no  children.  December  'ifith,  1844, 
he  married  Miss  llosannah  Adkins,  daughter 
of  Lewis  Adkins,  who  settled  in  this  county 
in  1832.  His  last  wife  survives  him,  and  has 
always  been  a  kind  hearted  Christian  lady 
with  whom  he  lived  happily  until  his  death. 
His  children  are:  Mary,  who  married  D. 
W.  Stamey,  of  Rantoul  township;  Carrie, 
who  married  J.  W.  Stanley,  residing  just 
north  of  Champaign;  Jennie  and  Ella,  who 
reside  at  home  with  their  mother  on  the  old 
home  place.  Two  of  their  children,  Willie 
L.,  and  James  W.,  are  dead. 

Mr.  Somers  luiited  with  the  M.  E.  church 
in  1S.51  and  lived  a  consistent  member  until 
Ins  death. 

He  was  first  a  whig,  then  a  republican 
and  was  always  a  conscientious  observer  of 
the  duties  and  obligations  of  a  good  citizen. 
He  was  assessor  of  Somer  township  for  13 
years,  supervisor  six  years  and  school  treas- 
urer eight  years.  He  was  filling  the  last 
two  offices  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

In  1879,  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  office 
of  county  treasurer  on  the  independent  or 
greenback  ticket.    The  democrats  support- 


77 


PTDXFFRS  OF  CHAMPAIGX  COUyTY 


ing  him  altliough  he  had  always  been  a  re- 
publican: the  regular  republican  nominee 
was  elected  becau^je  of  their  large  niaiority. 
During  the  canvass  however,  no  aspersions 
were  thrown  u)>on  the  character  of  Mr. 
Somers.  He  was  faithtul  in  every  public 
trust.  No  man  was  more  )>opiiIar  in  Somer 
than  he.  He  had  fairly  w<»n  the  confidence 
and  resv>ect  of  the  pef>ple  of  all  parties  by 
his  plain  manners,  good  judgement,  and 
sterling  integrity. 

He  died  Mar.-h  2.  iss>,  after  an  illness, 
from  pneumonia,  of  only  one  week.  His 
memory  will  be  cherished  by  all  who  knew 
him,  for  his  many  noble  traits  of  character. 


I'lEV.  William  Muxhall. 
This  gentleman,  so  well  known  to  the  i)i- 
oneers  of  this  county,  was  usually  referred 
to  as  "Preacher  Munhall."  He  was  born 
May  80,  isio,  at  Harrishurg.  Pa.  We  are 
unable  to  obtain  reliaiiie  inforniulicm  as  to 
his  early  life  before  comuig  to  this  county. 
He  unite<l  with  the  Protestant  Methodist 
church  in  ls:J5,  and  began  soon  after  to 
preach  the  Gospel.  He  had  a  personal  mag- 
netism that  made  his  preaching  effective 
and  enabled  him  to  accomplish  a  great  deal 
of  gooil,  by  this  means.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Dorathy  F.  Jackson.  March  5,  LS^'t, 
at  Brownsville,  Pa.  The  children  resulting 
fi-om  tills  union  were  Sylvanus  C,  married 
and  residing  at  Watseka,  Illinois;  C.  S., 
married  and  residing  in  Nebraska;  William 
H.,  married  and  engaged  on  the  Gazette, 
in  Chami>aign,  and  JSanmel  C,  single  and 
residiijg  in  Chicago.  He  came  to  Urbana  in 
is.")4,  i)reafhed  a  sermon  or  two  here  and  at- 
tiacted    the   attention  of  Col.  W.  N.  Coler 


and  others  by  his  logic  and  elo(juence:  they 
made  up  a  purse  and  employed  him  to  preach 
for  a  year.  At  the  close  of  this  engagement 
he  united  with  the  M.  E.  church.  He  also 
served  as  jjastor  of  the  Congregational 
church  of  Champaisrn  for  one  or  two  years. 
He  was  a  democrat  of  the  old  school  type 
and  knew  well  how  to  maintain  his  princi- 
ples in  argument.  He  was  elected  on  that 
ticket  for  county  treasurer  and  assessor  in 
18.55,  and  was  reelected  in  l^^oT,  serving  four 
years.  In  the  fore  part  of  1>>(')0  he  bought 
out  the  Clarion,  a  newspaper  owned  by  Mun- 
ger  it  Knapjj.  which  he  continued  to  pub- 
lish under  the  name  of  Democrat  and  Pa- 
triot, until  about  1XC,2.  at  which  time  he  left 
this  city  and  removed  to  Cleveland.  Ohio, 
where  he  died  March  9th.  isfu.  He  was  a 
man  of  strong  impulses  and  of  great  abilities. 
His  oratory  was  graced  b\  the  u<e  of  beau- 
tiful language,  and  an  easy  delivery,  that 
with  his  tine  talents  enabled  him  to  succeed 
admirably  in  that  line.  He  matle  many 
warm  friends  all  over  the  county,  anil  could 
have  succeeded  always  in  politics,  had  he 
seen  lit  to  engage  in  it. 


AViLi-iAM  J.  Foot 
Was  born  at  Mendon,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  10, 1817.  He  con\es  of  a  long-lived  fami- 
ly;  his  paternal  grandfather.  Charles. (whose 
ancestors  came  from  Colchester,  England, 
and  founded  the  town  of  Colchester,  Con- 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAlOy  COryTV. 


78 


necticut.)  was  a  soldier  in  the  Rtivolutionary 
war  and  died  at  tiie  advanced  age  of  eishty- 
niue  years.  Tiie  father  of  William  J.,  also 
named  Ciiarles,  lived  for  one  hundred  and 
two  years  and  seven  months,  and  died  in 
September,  l^sM.  He  voted  at  all  the  presi- 
dential elections  from  Tiionias  Jefferson  to 
Garfield,  and  remembered  all  the  electi<ms 
including  tiiat  of  Washington  the  tirst  time 
in  1789.  Three  of  his  brothers  lived  to  be 
over  ninety:  another.  E.'  B.  Foot,  is  still  liv- 
ing at  the  age  of  eighty-one. 

William  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
learned  in  Xew  York  the  business  of  brick 
maker:  he  worked  at  this  and  upon  the  fami 
until  1842,  when  he  sought  to  better  his  con- 
dition by  starting  for  the  west.  He  located 
at  Medina,  Ohio,  where  for  thirteen  years 
he  worked  at  brick  making  and  other  occu- 
pations, eight  years  of  which  he  carried  on 
the  business  for  himself. 

He  was  married  July  4.  1S44,  to  Lucy  Ma- 
ria Alcott,  youngest  daughter  of  Medad 
Aleott,  whose  ancestors  for  five  generations 
are  traced  back  to  Thomas  Alcott,  who  came 
over  with  Governor  Winthrop  in  10:30.  His 
father,  John  Alcott,  was  Lord  Chancellor  of 
England  under  King  Henry  VII.  Mrs. 
Foot  is  still  living  and  will  be  sixty-nine 
years  old  Aug.  lOth,  1886.  She  is  a  full  cous- 
in of  A.  Bronson  Alcott,  the  Concord  phil- 
osopher. The  children  of  this  union  were: 
Julia  R.,  who  married  M.  W.  Mathews,  Eva 
A.,  Charles  Bronson,  Orlotf  W.,  (who  died 
at  the  age  of  ten  years)  and  Franklin  W. 

Mr.  Foot  was  a  whig  and  cast  his  lii"st  vote 
for  W' illiani  Henry  Harrison  in  1840.  Later 
he  became  a  republican  and  has  voted  an  un- 
scratched  ticket  ever  since  that  party  was 
born.  He  was  coroner  of  Champaign  coun- 
ty for  two  terms,  and  had  served  in  Ohio  for 
six  years  as  deputy  sheriff. 

He  came  to  Urbana  in  185.5  and  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  brick  until  1871,  since 
which  time  he  has  no*  engaged  in  business 
on  his  own  account.  He  made  the  brick  for 
the  court  house,  the  iM.  E.  church,  the  old 
school  building,  (which  burned)  and  for 
about  all  the  brick  buildings  both  in  Urbana 
and  Chanrpaign  that  were  built  prior  to  1871. 
Willie  not  in  the  most  robust  health  he  has 
ambition  and  vigor  enough  to  last  him  yet 
many  years. 


Richard  Ali.kn. 
Iviciiani  Allen  was  the  son  of  Sanuiel  and 
Phoebe  Allen,  natives  of  Dutctiess  county,N. 
Y.  He  was  born  in  Poughkee!>sie,  same 
state.  March  10,  isi4.  The  family  is  of  Eng- 
lish origin  and  Quaker  belief.  In  November 
1834,  Mr.  Allen  left  New  York  on  a  sail-vessel 
for  Savannah,  Georgia,  and  from  there,  walk- 
ed to  Milledgeville.  a  distance  of  one  hun- 
dred and  tifty  miles,  and  from  the  latter 
place  on  horseback  to  Columbus,  one  luui- 
dred  and  tifty  more.  He  then  took  charge 
of  twenty  live  slaves,  and  escorted  them  to 
Montgomery,  Alabama.  The  road  ])assed 
through  the  Creek  Indian  reservation.  At 
Montgomery,  he  engaged  to  drive  stage 
from  that  city  to  Columbus.  He  soon  after 
took  a  steamer  down  to  Mobile,  where  he 
taught  school  three  months.  He  returned  to 
New  York  in  June,  18:3.5,  and  the  same  year 
went  west  to  Gallia  county.  Ohio.  He  there 
purchased  ;3«0acresof  heavily  timbered  land. 
He  cleared  up  one  luuidred  acres  and  farmed 
it  for  twenty  tln-ee  years.  The  land  being 
poor  'the  profits  arising  therefrom  were 
meagre.  In  18.5S,  he  sold  his  farm  and  came 
to  this  county,  and  bought  land  in  Somer 
township,  where  he  still  lives. 

In  18:38,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  MaryE.,  daughter  of  Col.  Nial  Nye. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  their 
children:  Lewis,  who  is  a  resident  of  Em- 
poria, Kan.;  Sarah,  who  lives  at  home; 
Samuel,  a  resident  of  Fairbury,  Neb. ;  Ira  H., 
of  Urbana ;  Joseph,  who  lives  at  Perry,  Iowa. 
Part  of  the  family  worship  in  the  Congrega 
tional  church,  and  the  others  are  Metho 
dists. 


79 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAilPAIGy  COUNTY. 


Politically  Mr.  Allen  was  a  whig  until 
that  organization  was  abandoned,  and  since 
then  has  acted  with  the  republican  party. 
While  Mr.  Allen  has  not  been  an  active 
politician,  yet  he  is  a  man  of  strong  and  de- 
cided convictions.  He  believes  tirnily  in 
high  protection  for  American  industries  and 
the  party  espousing  those  principles,  receives 
his  warm  endorsement  and  vote. 

Mr.  Allen  has  represented  his  township 
for  four  years  on  the  board  of  supervisors. 
He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  ten 
years  and  at  present  holds  that  office. 
He  is  modest  and  unassuming  in  manner, 
but  lias  a  will  of  his  own  and  is  not  easily 
swerved  fiom  a  position  once  taken.  These 
characteristics  are  written  plainly  by  oiu' 
artist  in  the  splendid  portrait  above  given. 


Joll.N    iijIoWXFIEI.I). 

Mr.  Hrownlield  was  probably  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  His  father,  Robert  Brown- 
tield,  at  the  time  of  the  birth  ot  John,  Oct- 
ober 7th,  17S.5,  lived  in  Washington  county, 
Penn.  The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  was 
Ramsey.  Subseciuently.  and  in  th"  boyhood 
of  John,  the  family  removed  to  Harrison 
county,  Ky.,  from  which  place  tlieyremo\ed 
to  this  county  in  October.  1S32,  tlie  yeai-  be- 
fore the  establisliment  of  the  county,  by  law\ 
The  father.  Robert,  is  still  remembered  by 
the  few  remaining  old  settlers  of  lifty  years 
ago.  He  was  born  June  4th,  ITtiO.  and  lived 
to  become  a  resident  of  tliis  county,  witli  his 
son.  He  was  a  ."ioldier  in  the  revolutionary 
war.  He  died  in  ISll.  The  mother  died  be- 
fore the  family  left  Kentucky.  John  Brown- 
field  was  married  about  1S04,  to  Anna  Clem- 
ents, a  sister  of  James  Clements,  another 
early  settler.  She  was  born  in  1790  and  died 
August  25th,   1S4.'),    in  the  fellowship  of  the 


Freewill  Baptist  church,  of  which  she  was 
long  a  consistent  member.  Mrs.  Browntield 
is  still  remembered  as  a  kind-hearted,  char- 
itable lady,  devotedly  attached  to  her  chil- 
dren, of  whom  she  had  thirteen,  most  of 
whom  long  since  joined  her  on  the  other 
shore.  John  Browntield  volunteered  under 
Col.  Coleman  in  the  war  of  1S12  and  spent 
several  months  in  the  Harrison  camijaigus 
in  the  Maumee  country,  for  which  he  re- 
ceived a  government  land  warrant.  Two 
years  before  their  removal  to  this  county, 
Mr.  Browntield  came  here  on  a  prospecting 
tour,  and  being  pleased  with  the  outlook,  he 
bought  out  tlie  improvements  of  one  John 
Light,  a  squatter  then  living  on  Sec.  3.5,  in 
Somer  township,  where  his  son.  Thomas 
Browntield,  now  lives,  and  formally  enter- 
ed the  laud  at  the  land  office  at  Palestine, 
on  September  2,  1830.  This  Light  is  still  re- 
membered, by  citizens,  as  one  of  the  tirst  pio- 
neers of  this  county.  He  was  possessed  ot 
some  learning,  for  he  was  among  the  first, 
if  not  the  first,  school  teacher  who  taught  in 
this  county. 

In  1831,  about  October  25th,  the  Brown- 
field  family,  tlestined  to  become  so  conspic- 
uous in  family  names  and  in  the  affairs 
of  the  county,  reached  their  new  home  ant  I 
became  domiciled.  Near  their  cabin  ran  \ 
the  Ft.  Clark  road,  the  only  road  that  was 
more  than  a  trail,  leading  tlirough  the  coun- 
ty. Their  neig]il)ors  were  Pliillip  Stanford, 
the  Rhineheaits,  John  Light,  William  and 
Robert  Trickle,  James  T.  Roe.  Isaac  Busey, 
Matthew  Busey.  and  a  few  others.  No  store 
was  then  in  the  county  and  the  nearest  mar- 
ket was  Chicago,  then,  only  a  military  post, 
or  some  of  the  Wabash  towns.  Mr.  Brown- 
field  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  at  once 
became  a  useful  man  in  the  connuunity. 
At  that  time  the  facilities  for  grinding  grain 
in  the  settlement  were  limited  to  a  hand 
mill  owned  by  Roberta  Trickle,  made  of  a 
short  section  of  a  hollow  log  enclosing  the 
"upper  and  the  nether  mill  stones,"  capable 
of  grinding  one  bushel  an  hour.  This  was 
brought  from  Butler's  Point.  Vermilion 
county.  This  deficiency  Mr.  Browiilield  set 
about  remedying.  In  1835,  by  the  aid  of  one 
Holmes,  probably  the  first  Methodist  preach- 
er who  ever  i>reached  the  gosi)el  in  the 
county,  completed  a  horse  grist  mill  near 
his  home.  This  mill  was  capable  of  grind- 
ing from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  bushels  of 
coin  or  wheat  per  hour.  It  was  supplied 
with  a  bolting  chest  for  bolting  the  flour, 
which  was  operated  by  hand.  The  machin- 
ery of  this  mill  was  so  well  constructed  that 
a  high  velocity  was  given  the  stone.  The 
larger  wheel  was  twenty-four  feet  in  diam- 
ter.    The  mill  at  once  became  very  useful. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


80 


to  the  people,  far  and  near,  who  came  long 
distances  to  get  their  grain  ground.  In  1842 
Mr.  Brownfield  commenced  the  erection  of 
a  saw  and  grist  mill  on  the  creek  about  three 
miles  below  Urbana,  to  be  run  by  water 
power.  The  saw  mill  was  completed  in  1S43 
and  in  1844  the  burr  stones  were  removed  to 
it  from  the  liorse  mill  and  there  did  duty 
until  1849  when  they  were  probably  super- 
ceded by  Park's  steam  mill,  in  Urbana. 
The  frame  of  the  old  horse  mill  still  remains 
and  is  used  by  Thomas  as  a  stable,  while 
the  burr-stones  are  still  kept  for  the  good 
they  have  done.  Mr.  Brownfield  ran  one  of 
the  first  threshing  machines  brought  to  the 
county.  He  also  for  a  time  kept  a  small 
stock  of  groceries. 

Under  the  constitution  of  1818  the  probate 
business  was  entrusted  to  an  officer  known 
as  the  Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace,  who,  as 
such,  had  jurisdiction  in  the  settlement  of 
estates,  probate  of  wills,  «fec.  To  this  office 
John  Brownfield  was  elected  in  1841,  and  in 
it  he  served  the  people  acceptably  for  one 
term  of  two  years.  If  he  ever  made  any 
errors  in  this  office  they  were  errors  of  the 
pen  and  neither  ot  the  head  nor  heart.  He 
also,  for  many  years,  served  as  a  justice  of 
the  peace.  Mr.  Brownfield,  as  above  stated, 
raised  thirteen  children,  only  five  of  whom, 
William,  Joseph,  Thomas,  James  C,  and 
Susan  McClatchy,  are  living.  The  three 
first  named  live  in  this  county.  One  of  his 
daughters,  Mary  Ann,  married  Andrew 
Stevenson,  the  first  sheriff  of  this  county. 
He  was  married  a  second  time  to  Mrs.  McEl- 
roy,  who  survived  him  a  few  years.  John 
Brownfield  died  July  6th,  1863,  and  will  long 
be  remembered  by  citizens  as  a  very  orig- 
inal and  anomalous  character.  Born  and 
reared  at  a  time  and  in  a  section  of  country 
when  and  where  educational  facilities  were 
out  of  the  question,  he  was  conspicuous  for 
his  lack  of  book  learning  and  as  conspicu- 
ous for  his  strong«»comnion  sense,  which 
never  deserted  him  in  any  emergency. 
Although  without  a  knowledge  of  the  world 
of  mankind,  beyond  his  limited  line  of  ob- 
servation, he  was  too  shrewd  and 
alert  to  be  over-reachect  by  the 
most  casuistic  of  sharpers.  He  would  have 
proved  himself  equal  to  the  ingenuousness  of 
any  of  tlie  modern  confidence  men,  had  they 
visited  him  in  that  day.  His  shrewdness  in 
settling  by  the  most  peaceable  of  measures 
a  threatened  law  suit,  well  illustrates  his 
aptness  in  dealing  with  men.  In  his  water 
mill  above  si)oken  of  he  made  use  of  a  wiieel 
fashioned  after  one  which  somebody  had 
patented,  without  thinking  of  infringing 
anyone's  rights,  others  of  the  same  patern 
being  in  use  in  the  neighborhood.  An  agent 
H 


of  the  patentee  came  through  the  country 
looking  after  infringers  upon  his  patent. 
He  came  to  Urbana,  one  day,  put  up  his 
team  and  enquired  for  Mr.  Brownfield's  mill 
and  residence,  and  was  told  he  was  in  town. 
The  two  soon  met  and  the  stranger  made 
known  his  business.  He  said  he  was  inform- 
ed that  Mr.  B.  had  in  use  one  of  his  patent 
wheels— that  he  had  already  settled  like 
infringements  (m  his  letters  patent  with  so 
and  so  and  was  disposed  to  settle  with  him 
without  suit.  Mr.  Brownfield  said  if  he  had 
infringed  upon  the  rights  of  any  one  he  was 
willing  to  pay,  but  from  the  stranger's  de- 
scription of  his  wheel,  he  doubted  if  his  own 
wheel  was  any  infringement.  He  invited 
the  claimant  to  go  with  him  to  his  mill  and 
examine  for  himself.  It  was  then  near  noon 
and  it  was  agreed  that  the  two  should  meet 
soon  after  dinner  and  together  go  to  the  mill, 
three  miles  away.  After  his  dinner  the 
stranger  drove  out  with  a  sijirited  team  for 
Mr.  Brownfield  to  pilot  him  to  the  mill,  but 
he  could  not  be  found.  After  some  further 
search  he  concluded  to  go  alone  and  inspect 
the  wheel.  He  soon  reached  the  mill  but 
found  no  wheel  in  it.  The  smoking  embers 
of  a  bonfire  near  by  plainly  showed  that 
the  wheel  and  all  evidence  of  its  character, 
had  been  reduced  to  ashes.  The  evidence 
from  which  to  base  a  suit  was  gone  and  the 
suit  thus  settled  by  peaceable  means. 


Wi  1,1,1AM  iNI.  Stiawhax. 
The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  was  a 
native  of  Kentiukv.  He  was  born  in  Bour- 
bon county,  October  *2il,  1808.  He  was  the 
son  of  John  and  Margaret  (McCune)  Shaw- 
han.    John  Shawhan  emigrated  from  Penn- 


81 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAION  COUNTY. 


sylvania,  to  Ohio,  and  from  there  to  Ken- 
tucky, before  the  Revolutionary  war.  Both 
l)areiits  died  tliere.  William  M.  was  raised 
uponth*^  farm,  and  spent  the  most  of  his 
life  upon  it  and  in  his  father's  mill  until  he 
was  past  thirty  years  of  age.  He  received 
but  a  limited  education  in  the  subscription 
schools  of  his  native  state,  attending  one 
school  six  weeks  and  another  nineteen  days. 
He  remained  in  Bourbon  county,  until  the 
fall  of  1837,  when  he  emigrated  to  Rush 
county,  Indiana,  and  bought  a  farm  in  that 
heavily  timbered  region.  Here  he  actively 
engaged  in  farm  work,  and  soon  accumulat- 
ed sufficient  to  pay  for  several  hundred 
acres  of  valuable  land.  At  the  same  time  he 
was  deeply  absorbed  in  church  and  school 
work.  He  gave  largely  of  both  time  and 
money,  beside  donating  land  for  church, 
district  school,  and  seminary  sites.  The 
accident  which  resulted  in  the  death  of  his 
eldest  son  in  1846,  changed  tiie  whole  current 
of  his  life.  He  left  his  faim  and  removed 
in  1848,  to  Falmouth,  a  little  village  near  his 
home.  Here  he  remained  until  the  spring 
of  18.56,  when  he  came  to  Champaign  county, 
and  settled  on  section  19,  of  what  is  now 
known  as  Raymond  township.  He  had  for 
some  years  been  engaged  in  the  cattle  trade 
and  was  induced  to  come  to  this  county  by 
the  superior  facilities  afforded  at  that  time 
for  feeding  and  grazing  large  herds.  He 
did  not  continue  in  the  business  long,  how- 
ever, but  contented  himself  with  the  care  of 
small  lots  at  home.  Here  he  lived  until  his 
sudden  death  on  May  2d,  187.5,  in  the  church 
at  Sidney.  He  had  had  an  attack  of  heart 
disease  about  20  years  before.  The  second 
attack  ended  his  life  painlessly,  and  aside 
from  his  home,  in  the  place  he  most  loved 
to  be,  the  church. 

He  was  twice  married,  first  in  182.5  to 
Rhoda  Redmond,  who  was  the  mother  of  his 
four  oldest  sons.    She  died  in  1833. 

The  second  time  in  1837,  to  Nancy  Red- 
mond. She  still  survives  her  husband  and 
at  present  is  a  resident  with  her  son  James 
in  Urbana.  The  names  of  the  children  in 
tiie  order  of  their  birth  are  as  follows: 
John  T.,  eldest  born  was  accidentally  killed 
in  1845;  Charles  R.,  is  a  farmer  and  a  resident 
near  Belvidere,  Nebraska.  He  married 
Amand^  ClilTord;  Daniel  M.,  married  Jane 
Carson.  They  reside  in  Pike  county,  In- 
diana; Joseph  H.,  married  Mary  Thompson, 
and  resides  inCynthiana,  Kentucky;  Marga- 
ret A.,  married  David  Frame;  after  his 
death,  she  married  William  Higginbotham, 
of  Chicago,  she  is  now  a  resident  of  Cham- 
paign; Mary  Helen,  married  Robert  H. 
Myers,  she  died  in  1865;  George  R.,  married 
Vista  Brown,  and  is  a  resident  of  Urbana; 


James  R.,  took  to  wife  Asenath  Churchill 
and  is  also  a  resident  of  Urbana;  William 
T.,  the  >oungest  of  the  family  married  Maud 
Piatt  and  is  now  a  resident  and  ixjstmaster 
of  Castleton,  Nebraska. 

William  M.  Shawhan  united  with  the 
Christian  chmch  at  Fairview,  Indiana,  when 
about  forty  years  of  age.  He  was  an  active 
worker,  and  soon  became  an  elder  in  the 
congregation  there.  When  he  came  to 
this  country  he  soon  found  the  congregations 
in  Old  St.  Joseph,  Hickory  Grove.  Sidney 
and  Camargo.  As  in  Indiana,  his  time  and 
money  assisted  in  building  and  e.stablisliing 
these  churciies.  Many  old  residents  remen>- 
ber  him  well.  On  churches  and  schools  he 
was  an  enthusiast,  especially  during  the 
years  immediately  preceding  the  death  of 
his  eldest  son.  His  knowledge  of  the  Bible 
was  wonderful.  The  New  Testament  lie 
knew  nearly  by  heart. 

Politically  he  was  a  democrat,  though  he 
had  not  cast  a  vote  for  about  thirty  years  be 
fore  his  death.  His  last  ballot  was  for  the 
adoption  of  the  Indiana  Free  School  law. 
In  Kentucky,  he  was  a  Captani  of  a  militia 
company.  In  Illinois  he  served  two  years 
as  supervisor  of  Raymond  township.  This 
was  the  only  political  office,  he  ever  held. 
He  was  school  treasurer  of  the  township, 
almost  continuously,  from  the  organization 
of  the  first  district  until  his  death.  He  was 
physically  a  strong  man,  six  feet,  four  inches 
high,  with  umscles  able  to  endure  almost  any 
thing.  Cradling  wheat  was  pastime.  From 
sunrise  until  the  stars  came  out  was  a  day, 
when  he  was  in  his  prime.  Few  men  could 
swing  his  scythe,  as  he  always  hung  the 
point  out  so  far  from  the  snath.  Eight  and 
nine  acres  was  a  day's  work.  His  mind  was 
as  vigorous  as  his  body.  His  memory  rarely 
failed,  even  to  the  minutest  details.  His 
will  was  strong  and  when  once  he  had 
determined  upon  a  course  of  action,  he 
rarely  changed.  His  judgment  of  men 
was  seldom  at  fault.  Few  could  impose 
upon  him,  and  when  they  did,  pity  usually 
opened  the  way.  He  would  do  what  he 
believed  right,  no  matter  who  opposed. 
He  did  not  build  a  grand  fortune,  but  he 
secured  a  handsome  competence,  and  left  a 
name  that  his  children  and  friends  love  to 
remember  and  honor. 


rniNEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN   CUV  1ST Y. 


82 


Jonathan  N.  Howsek 
Was  born  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  October 
Ifitli,  1S'3L  His  i»arents  were  Cliristopher 
H.  and  Elizabetii  (Hoover)  Howser,  wiio 
were  botli  natives  of  Maryland.  Jonathan 
N.  Howser  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  work- 
ed upon  a  far;a  during  his  boylKjod  days  and 
later  farmed  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  for 
himself,  for  about  ten  years  before  coning 
to  Champaign  county,  Illinois,  in  1855.  He 
was  nr.irried  to  Margaret  J.  Dillmm,  of 
Brown  county,  Ohio,  by  Z.  M.  Lansdowne. 
August  24th,  l^^S,  who  came  with  hira  to 
Illinois,  and  who  has,  by  her  wifely  assist- 
ance, helped  him  in  the  arduous  efforts  in 
building  his  fortune  in  his  western  home. 
She  was  born  March  19th,  1^26,  and  is  still 
living  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  labor.  The 
children  of  this  marriage  were  as  follows : 
Eliza  Ellen,  born  July  2Sth,  1844,  who  mar- 
ried John  H.  Hudson,  a  farmer  living  in  St. 
Joseph  towusliip;  Leoniilas  H.,  born  June 
28th,  IS46,  who  is  also  a  farmer  in  same 
township;  Robert  C,  born  February  7th, 
1849,  also  a  farmer  in  Page  county,  Iowa ; 
Martlia  Jane,  who  married  J.  D.  Laughlin, 
a  farmer  now  in  Page  county,  Iowa;  Clnls- 
topher  Lincoln,  who  is  married  and  farming 
in  St.  Joseph,  and  Caroline  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. Mr.  Howser  and  his  wife  have  been 
consistent  and  faithful  members  of  the 
Cliristian  church  f(nty-two  years  and  yet 
cling  to  the  same  faith.  They  settled  upon 
section  31,  in  St.  Joseph  township,  and  now 
own  the  liome  place  a  well  improved  farm 
of  240  acres,  besides  an  80  acre  tract  in  Ur- 
bana  township. 


Mr.  Howser  held  the  ottice  of  higliway 
coniMiissioncr  for  three  years,  and  it  was  un- 
der his  supervision  as  such  officer,  that  the 
iron  bridge  across  the  Salt  Fork,  near  St. 
Joseph  was  built.  In  politics  Mr.  Howser 
is  a  true  and  tried  republican.  He  is  an 
unpretending  modest  man,  and  conunands 
by  his  record  of  honest  endeavor  and  well 
regulated  life  the  fullest  confidence  of  our 
people  among  whom  he  lias  lived  so  long. 


Samuel  D.  Jones 
Was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  July  10, 
1816.  His  pariiuts,  David  and  Elizabeth 
Jones,  resided  however  in  Carnarvonshire, 
Wales.  He  was  married  February  22,  1844, 
in  Festiugoe,  Wales;  his  good  wife,  who  is 
still  living,  is  in  her  6Sth  year,  and  is  a  well 
preserved  lady  bidding  fair  to  bear  him 
company  for  many  years  to  come.  They 
have  had  two  children;  Lucy  died  in  Ver- 
mont ;  Catlierine,  married  Garrett  N.  How- 
ard, wlio  is  now  farming  on  section  28,  in 
East  Bend  township,  in  this  county.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  125th  regiment,  Illinois, 
Vols.  Mr.  Jones  and  wife  united  with  tlie 
Baptist  church  in  185R;  the  family  on  both 
sides  were  Baptists,  tracing  the  same  back 
to  the  time  the  Baptists  first  came  to  Wales. 
Mr.  Jones  and  wife  came  to  this  country  in 
1850,  and  resided  in  Vermont  for  four  years.. 
They  then  lived  in  the  state  of  New  York 
for  about  a  year,  and  in  1><55,  came  to  Illinois 
and  settled  in  Kane  county.  In  18.58,  Mr. 
Jones  broke  prairie  on  his  farm  in  section 
28,  East  Bend  township,  and.  moved  his 
family  there  in  18.59,  where  they  still  own  a 
farm  which  they  improved  by  their  joint 
labors.    Thev  resided  on  the  same  until  nine 


83 


PIUNKKHS   OF  CHAMPAION  COUNTY 


years  ago  he  removed  to  Urbaiia,  to  take 
c-harge  of  the  poor-house  and  farm  of  this 
county,  wliich  position  he  still  holds  and 
conducts  in  such  a  business  like  and  econom- 
ical manner  that  he  will  doubtless  be  retain- 
ed as  long  as  his  services  can  be  secured. 

Mr.  Jones  is  a  republican,  strong  in  the 
faith,  though  he  has  never  sought  ofiice, 
being  content  to  be  a  faithful  member  in  the 
ranks.  The  pjutiality  of  his  neighbors  call- 
ed him  to  serve  as  town  clerk  for  ten  years 
and  town  trustee  for  seven  years.  At  the 
time  he  opened  up  his  farm,  there  were  only 
forty  or  lifty  votes  in  Brown  and  East  Bend 
townships  combined.  Mr.  Jcmes  is  a  good 
representative  of  the  hardy  race  of  which 
he  comes  and  of  those  peculiarly  admirable 
traits  of  charactei'  so  generously  shown  by 
them.  Industrious,  honest  and  true  in  all 
the  relations  of  life,  he  is  fairly  entitled  to 
the  success  he  has  attained  by  a  life  of  use- 
fulness, and  we  sincerely  hope  a  kind  Provi- 
dence may  grant  to  him  and  his  life  partner 
a  green  old  age  and  the  comforts  they  have 
so  righteously  earned. 


Brn.iamix  p.  Puathfu. 
The  parents  of  Mr.  Prather.  were  .James 
and  Sophia  I'rather,  who  came  from  Mary- 
land, in  their  early  years  and  were  among 
the  first  settlers  on  the  Ohio  river.  They 
settled  at  ("hilo,  ("lerniont  county,  Ohio- 
The  lirst  we  gather  of  the  life  of  Benjamin 
P.  Prather,  is  when  at  the  age  of  tifteen 
years  he  was  entrusted  with  the  running  of 
a  ferryboat  between  ("incinnati,  Ohio,  and 
Newport,  Ky.  Here  he  learned  to  like  the 
life  of  a  .steamboatman;  for  from  this  begin- 
ning he  continued  to  follow  the  riv«'r  and  was 
for  twenty  years  onttie  Ohioand  Mississippi 


rivers  as  an  engineer,  lie  wa.s  married  at 
Felicity,  Ohio.  September  15,  184(j,  to  Sli.ss 
Caroline  M.  Stevens,  daughter  of  Silsby 
Stevens,  of  Vermont.  She  survives  him  and 
resides  on  the  line  farm  in  Sonier  township, 
which  their  joint  labors  has  rescued  from 
the  wild  prairie  and  made  it  one  of  the  most 
desirable  farms  and  homes  in  the  county. 
The  following  children  were  born  to  them: 
William  T.,  Jessie,  and  Jennie  P.  Tate,  (all 
three  of  whom  are  deceased:)  Homer,  was 
nmrried  to  Miss  Jessie  Marriott;  she  died  in 
December  1877,  and  he  now  resides  in 
Dowell,  Edwards  county,  Kansas;  Scott, 
was  married  to  Miss  Etta  Haley,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1881,  and  resides  on  his  farm  in  Somer; 
Spees,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
E.  Nye,  September  ;i4,  1SH4,  and  resides  at 
his  father's  old  home  in  Somer.  Mr.  Prather 
and  family  moved  to  Champaign  in  June, 
1856,  where  he  engaged  in  the  grain  business 
with  Mark  Carley:  he  built  the  dwelling 
house  on  the  corner  of  State  and  Hill  streets 
in  Champaign  which  afterwards  was  for 
many  years  the  home  of  Daniel  (iardner. 

In  September  18.58,  he  moved  It)  his  farm 
in  Somer;  at  that  time  there  were  no  im- 
provements ni  sight  north  or  east  of  him  and 
the  eye  rested  upon  a  wild  untamed  i)rairi(i 
relieved  only  by  the  i>rairie  flowers  that 
bloomed  in  their  season.  Tlie  howl  <•{■ 
the  prairie  wolf  often  dlsturbeil  tiu-ir 
slumbers,  and  frequently  the  young  lambs 
were  carrietl  from  the  barnyard  by  these 
denizens  of  the  prairie.  Prairit>  lires  lit  up 
the  heavens  at  times  so  that  a  book  might 
be  read  by  the  light  although  it  was  miles 
away;  it  traveled  before  a  high  wind  faster 
than  the  llee test  horse. 

Mr.  Prather  was  a  staunch  and  active  re- 
publican all  his  mature  life.  He  was  a 
mend)er  of  the  M.  E.  church  and  contributed 
freely  to  its  support:  he  was  among  the  tirst 
to  donate  liberally  towards  the  Carley 
ChaptI  near  his  farm. 

He  held  the  office  of  supervisor  for  Somer 
townsliip,  for  the  years  18()9.  '70  and  '71,  and 
was  a  useful  and  influential  mend)er  of  the 
board.  Mr.  Prather  died  February  ;iird, 
18S.5,  leaving  a  comfortable  competency  for 
his  family  and  a  cha:acter  fcu'  integrity  and 
upright  ((uiduct  through  lite  that  connuand- 
ed  the  admiration  of  all  those  who  had  the 
honor  of  his  aciiuaintance. 


PIONEtJHS  OF  CHAMPA  MN  COUNTY. 


84 


J.  B.  PoHTERFIEI.n. 

A  sket9h  of  the  early  settlers  of  Cham- 
paign county,  would  be  incomplete  without 
a  sketch  of  J.  B.  Porterlield,  of  Sidney,  Ill- 
inois. He  IS  a  native  of  Armstrong  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  born,  August  10th, 
ISiJfi.  His  i>arents,  Samuel  and  Nancy 
Porterfield,  were  natives  of  the  same  state. 
Mr.  Porterlield  was  raised  on  the  farm,  but 
soon  after  obtaining  his  majority  he  aban- 
doned it  to  engage  in  contracting  on  rail- 
roads, the  latter  being  more  congenial  to  his 
lastes.  His  tirst  contract  was  on  the  Alle- 
gliany  Valley  R.  K.,  in  Pennsylvania.  After 
the  completion  of  that  contract  he  came  west 
to  Illinois,  and  was  engaged  on  the  C,  B.  & 
Q.  K.  li.  From  1857  to  1868,  he  was  engaged 
oil  the  Illinois  Central  road,  building  fence 
and  furnishing  wood  and  ties.  He  construct- 
ed the  Eureka  Springs  R.  R.  in  Arkansas 
in  ISSi.  In  18S4  lie  was  instrumental  in  or- 
ganizing the  i»resent  Sidney  coal  company, 
and  iiV  successfully  sinking  the  tirst  shaft 
ever  sunk  in  Champaign  county.  Since  18.58, 
lie  has  carried  on  a  large  farm  at  Sidney,  in 
addition  to  the  various  enterprises  mentioned 
above. 

Tiie  date  of  his  arrival  in  this  county  was 
in  April  1857.  lie  stopped  in  West  Urbana, 
now  Champaign,  and  made  that  his  home 
until  his  removal  to  liis  farm.  He  was 
married  at  \Vf)rtiiingt(jn,  Pa.,  May  4th,  184s, 
to  Miss  E.  H.  Blain,  who  is  still  living. 
John  Blain  the  father  of  Mrs.  Portertield. 
came  to  Sidney  in  18(W,  where  he  still  resides 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  four  years. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  father  of 
thirteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living. 
15 


All  are  actively  engaged  in  the  business  of 
life. 
Politically  Mr.   Porterlield  subscribes   to 

none  of  the  formulated  platforms  of  any 
liarty.  He  is  not  bound  by  the  ipse  dixit  of 
any  political  organization,  but  takes  an  in- 
dependent position  and  votes  for  such  meas- 
ures and  men  as  in  his  judgment  will  be  for 
the  best  interests  of  the  whole  country. 
Would  that  there  were  more  like  him— men 
who  could  rise  to  the  true  dignity  of  Amer- 
ican citizenship  and  divest  their  minds  of 
partisan  prejudice  and  vote  as  their  best 
judgment  dictates.  A  healthier,  purer  gov- 
ernment for  the  people  and  by  the  people, 
would  be  the  result.  Mr.  Portertield's  polit- 
ical status  is  that  of  an  independent  repub- 
lican. 

He  now  resides  at  Sidney,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  enterprising  citizens  of  that  pros- 
perous village.  He  is  an  ardent  temperance 
man,  and  refuses  to  vote  for  any  man  in  any 
party  whose  influence  is  not  used  on  the  side 
of  temperance  and  good  morals.  Such  men 
are  needed  to  hold  in  check,  the  dangerous 
tendencies  of  our  people  and  to  furnish  a 
model  for  tiie  rising  generation. 


WlI.I.IAM  S.  (iAKMAN. 

William  S.  Garman  was  born  in  Jackson 
township,  Lebanon  county,  Penn.,  Jan.  30, 
1826,  where  also  his  father,  Sebastian  Gar- 
man  and  his  mother,  Magdalana  Stine,  were 
born,  whose  great  grand  parents  came 
from  Germany.  Their  family  consisted  of 
six  children,  three  boys  and  three  girls;  the 
boys  being  the  oldest.  The  second  son  is 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.    He  has  now  two 


85 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


brotliois  and  nvo  sisters  living  in  the  same 
county  and  state.  He  received  a  common 
school  education  and  was  put  to  tlie  tailor 
trade  at  about  lifteen  years  of  age  in  Myers- 
town,  lie  was  kept  at  his  trade  till  he  was 
eighteen.  In  the  tall  of  1W4,  he  and  a  boy 
about  his  age,  named  Wm.  Kobinson,  left 
tlieir  homes  in  September,  on  foot,  with  all 
their  effects  tied  up  in  a  bandanna  handlver- 
chief ,  directing  their  steps  towards  the  set- 
ting Sim.  They  came  to  Chambersburg  and 
from  thence  on  foot  over  tlie  Alleghany 
mountains  to  Pittsburg,  and  from  there  to 
Cincinnati,  by  boat.  He  finally  came  to 
Dayton,  where  he  remained  working  at  his 
trade  till  the  fall  of  '47.  He  then  returned 
home  and  staid  till  the  following  spring, 
when  the  western  fever  came  on  him  again 
and  he  returned  to  Ohio,  and  then  to 
Indiana.  He  traveled  over  a  greater  i>ortion 
of  the  state  and  finally  settled  in  Fayette 
county,  and  carried  on  business  there  the 
spring  of  18.50,  when  he  again  started 
westward.  He  came  to  St.  Louis,  and  from 
there  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  thence  to  Peoria, 
and  Bloomington,  and  linally  landed  at  Ur- 
liana,  111 ,  April  20, 1850,  where  he  was  urged 
by  the  leading  citizens  to  locate  and  open  a 
tailor  shop.  No  shop  being  liere  he  finally 
consented  to  stay  awhile  and  he  remains 
yet.  It  now  became  necessary  to  tind 
a  place  to  open  business,  and  buildings  being 
scarce,  only  one  painted  house  in  the  town 
and  a  good  many  log  cabins.  He  linally 
found  a  cabin  on  East  Main  street,  in  whicli 
M.  D.  Harvey  had  a  carpenter's  bench  where 
he  did  some  repairing.  He  consented  to 
vacate  the  cabin  (which  stood  on  the  lot 
now  occupied  by  Mr.  Touliill's  residence,) 
it  was  swept  out  and  transformed  into  a 
tailor  shop,  with  fashion  plates  tacked  uji 
against  the  logs.  The  people  being  scarce, 
work  proved  to  be  the  same.  Board  was 
chea]),  he  ])oarded  with  A.  Bruer  at  the  Ur- 
baiia  house  for  61.35  per  week.  He  spent 
most  of  the  summer  on  the  wide  unoccupied 
prairies,  hunting  deer  and  wolves,  but  as 
fall  grew  near,  trade  increased,  his  customers 
came  from  Mahomet,  Sadorus,  Homer, 
Sidney,  Salt  Fork  and  the  Big  Grove.  Fall 
also  brought  cool  weatlier  from  which  the 
cabin  was  not  able  to  shield  the  inmates. 
When  Mr.  Lewis,  then  sheriff  of  the  couiily, 
rented  him  an  unoccupied  room  in  the  court 
house,  where  lu'  remained  till  he  built  the 
lirst  tailor  shop  in  IJrbana,  in  tlie  fall  of 
1851.  In  June  18.51,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Nancy  Mc<Jraw,  of  FayetU^  county,  liid. 
He  has  a  daughter  Zue  E.,  who  is  married 
to  Mr.  Jno,  B.  Bennett  and  resides  in  Mc- 
I'lierson,  Kansas.  His  tirst  wife  died 
in  April  I'nVI,  and  lie  married  a  seconil    time 


to  Mrs.  Louisa,  a  daugliter  of  Mr.  Jno.  Mc- 
Williams,  born  in  Adams  county,  Peiin., 
Feb.  3, 183:2,  and  came  to  Urbana,  in  ]March 
185(j.  She  was  the  widow  T.  J.  Paul, 
who  was  in  June  l>i5S,  thrown  from  a  horse 
and  killed.  He  raised  four  children  by  his 
second  marriage.  I.  H.,  the  eldest,  who  is 
now  in  Cairo,  Illinois;  J.  C,  second,  now  in 
Vancouver,  British  Columbia;  Jno.  C,  tliird 
and  Mae,  the  youngest  who  are  at  home. 
He  became  a  member  of  the  church  when  16 
years  old  and  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  church. 
He  has  been  identified  with  the  republican 
party  since  its  organization,  and  was  elected 
coroner  in  IsfjO,  and  served  as  tleputy  sheriff 
for  two  years  under  Sheriff'  N.  M.  Clark. 
He  carried  on  the  merchant  tailoring  busi- 
ness near  Miss  Downs'  millinery  store  till 
1862,  when  he  left  for  California,  for  his 
liealth.  On  his  return  he  bought  a  farm, 
one  and  three-fourths  miles  northeast  of  Ur- 
bana, where  he  has  since  resitted.  He  is 
one  of  our  most  industrious  and  successful 
farmers. 


IMi^^0^ 


Jamks  (r.  Thompson. 
Mr.  Thompson's  father,  George,  came 
from  Ireland,  in  his  early  life,  and  located 
in  Otsego  county,  N.  Y.  Afterward  a  young 
girl  named  PeiH'Ioi)e  Thornton  went  with 
her  jiarents  from  hei  native  state  of  Rhode 
Island,  to  the  same  pounty.  Here  (ieorge 
Tliomiison  learned  to  love  her  as  she  grew 
to  woiiiauhood  and  married  lii'r.  .lames  G. 
Thompson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
born  to  them  Noveml)er  28th,  1834.  His 
early  life  was  s])eni  on  the  farm  in  New 
York  state,   until  1^46,   wlieii  be  lef(  the  pa- 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


86 


rental  roof  and  went  to  Rliode  Island,  where 
he  taught  school  that  winter,  1840-7,  and  the 
next  spring  engaged  in  the  nursery  business 
at  East  Greenwich.  At  the  expiration  of 
the  lirst  year  the  owner  of  the  nursery  went 
to  California,  leaving  Mr.  Thompson  in 
charge  of  the  business,  where  he  continued 
to  thus  labor  until  18.52.  lie  tlien  went  to 
New  York,  where  having  become  enamored 
of  the  imrsery  business  he  followed  it  until 
18.56,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  located 
live  miles  southeast  of  Urbana,  and  has  fol- 
lowed the  nursery  and  fruit  business  ever 
since.  He  was  married  December  14th,  1853, 
at  I'rovidence,  K.  1.,  to  Amanda  S.  Vinton. 
The  young  wife  went  with  her  husband  to 
New  York,  and  also  came  with  him  to  Ur- 
bana. Her  health  soon  after  failed  and  she 
returned  to  Khode  Island  in  the  hope  of  im- 
proving it,  but  she  died  there,  July  28th, 
18(jO.  The  children  of  this  mariiage  were 
James  Irving,  born  in  1854  and  died  Decem- 
ber 26th,  1870.  Mary  E.  O.,  born  in  1828, 
died  in  1860.  Mr.  Thompson  wafe  again  mar- 
ried July  5,  1866,  at  Urbana,  to  Maggie  C. 
Donovan.  Of  this  marriage  one  child,  Fred- 
die E.  was  born  October  25th,  1875,  and  is 
still  living.  Mr.  Thompson  joined  the  M.  E. 
church,  in  Guilford,  N.  Y.,  in  184:5,  and  has 
remanied  a  Methodist  from  that  day  to  the 
present.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  G.  76th  111.  Vol. 
Infty.,  in  August  1862,  and  followed  the  for- 
tunes of  his  regiment  until  December  20th, 
1862,.  when  Van  Dorn  made  his  raid  to  Holly 
Springs,  Miss.,  and  burned  the  town,  when* 
Mr.  Thompson  was  captured  by  the  rebels. 
He  was  sent  to  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis, 
until  exchanged  in  June,  1868,  when  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
Co.  G,  5th  regiment,  and  sent  to  Cainp  Mor- 
ton, at  Indianapolis,  to  guard  rebel  prisoners 
there,  where  he  remained  until  he  w'as  dis- 
charged July  5th,  186.5.  Mr.  Thompson  is 
still  engaged  in  his  favorite  business,  that 
of  conducting  a  nursery  and  fruit  farm  near 
this  city,  in  which  he  is  an  eminent  success. 
Politically  he  is  a  republican,  and  though 
not  a  politician,  he  is  always  to  be  depended 
upon  to  do  his  duty  for  the  party  which  he 
believes  is  entitled  to  his  support.  Mr. 
Thompson  is  faithful  in  all  the  relations  of 
life  and  bears  a  reputation  for  honesty  in 
business,  and  integrity  in  all  things  which 
commands  the  highest  regard  of  his  feUow- 
men. 


Cai.vin  Keei)  Mokehouse. 
Just  after  the  war  of  1812,  on  the  rirst  ship 
that  was  chartered  for  the  United  States, 
after  that  war,  William  Morehouse  took 
passage  across  the  broad  ocean  for  the  land 
of  liberty  and  plenty.  He  was  from  Dublin, 
Ireland.  Although  William  was  unmindful 
of  the  fact,  and  in  fact,  knew  it  not,  Catha- 
rine Kline  took  passage  upon  the  same  ves- 
sel. During  the  passage,  those  on  board 
naturally  cultivated  sociability.  While  thus 
on  the  ocean  wave  William  met  the  young 
lady,  for  the  first  time,  that  was  destined 
soon  to  become  his  wife,  and  later  the  moth- 
er of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  She  was 
born  in  Maryland  and  was  the  niece  of 
Christian  Kline,  who  carried  on  the  business 
of  Harper's  Ferry  and  had  charge  of  the 
government  works  that  made  all  the  guns 
the  government  used  during  the  war  of  1812. 
The  couple  settled  at  Baltimore,  where.  May 
25,  1827,  Calvin  K.  Morehouse  was  born  to 
them.  The  parents,  when  Calvin  was  a 
babe,  removed  to  Cincinnati  in  18;J8,  when  it 
was  only  an  Indian  town  and  trading  post. 
They  went  back  to  their  Baltimore  home  in 
1829  and  in  18:^0  again  removed  to  Cincinnati. 
In  18.3:3  they  removed  to  the  Wabash  country. 
In  18.50  Calvin  II.  came  to  Urbana  and  in- 
spected the  country.  In  18.52  he  bought  land 
here,  and  in  185:3  removed  here  with  his 
young  wife,  wlumi  he  had  married  in  1852. 
Her  name  was  Rebecca  J.  Wimp  and  she  is 
still  living.  They  settled  in  Somer  township 
and  hare  carried  on  farming  operations  ex- 
tensively ever  since.  The  children  born  to 
them  are  Kossuth  B.,  who  resides  and  farms 
in  same  township,  Jennie  ]).,  who  marrietl 


87 


PIONHERS  OF  CHAAfPAlUA   COUNTV 


Mr.  Sparks   and    resides   in  northorn  Iowa, 
Clara    B.,    who  resides    in   Elgin,  111.,    and 
Flora,  who  married  Mr.  (irinK  and  resides 
in    Sonier   township.    Mrs.  Morehonse    he- 
longs  to  the  M.  E.  oluuch   and   is  a  laithlnl 
member  of    the   same.       Mr.    Morehonse 
was  bronght  up  a  democrat  and  cast  his  Inst 
vote  for  James  liiichanan  for  president,  ni 
lim     He  subsequently  voted  for  Douglas 
in  I860,  for  McLellan  in  1«&4,  Seymour  in 
1808.    In  18T2  he  voted  liis  last  democratic 
ticket  in    voting  for  Horace  Greeley.    He 
became  imbued  with  the  idea  that  the  gov- 
ernment had  the  power,  and  that  it  was  its 
duty,  to  furnish  the  money  of  tlie  people  m 
the  shape  of  greenbacks  and  not  deputize 
national  banks  to  issue  money  for  it  at  an 
enormous  protit.  He  became,  in  otlier  words, 
an  enthusiastic   greenbacker,   and   it   was 
through  his  influence  and  energy  that  the 
greenback  party  got   a   strong   foothold  in 
this  county.    He  is  a  good  reasoner  and  an 
easy  conversationalist,  and  being  well  posted 
upon  the  financial  history  of  this  and  other 
governments  he  has  ably  maintained  his  po- 
sition in  politics.    He  voted  for  Peter  Coop- 
er in  1876,  for  Weaver  in  1880,  and  for  Sut- 
ler in  1884,  and  still  clings,  to  the  greenback 
labor  party,  confident  that  he  is  right  and 
believing  that  his  party  has  forced  the  old 
parties  to  do  many  things  they  would  not 
otherwise  have  done,  which  is,  doubtless, 
true.    He  has  been  supervisor  of  his  town- 
ship from  I860  to  1863,  and  from  1866  to  1868, 
both  inclusive  and  was  again  elected  in  1882, 
ami  has  since  served  in  that  cajiacity,  and 
still  holds  the  position,  serving  now  on  his 
twelfth  term.    He  was  one  of  the  most  ac- 
tive and  influential  members  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  in  securing  the  location  of  the 
State  University  at  Urbana.    He  was  one 
of  the   committee    that   hatl    the  matter  in 
charge  and  to  his  efforts  are  largely  due  the 
success  of  the  enterprise  whU-h  has  been  of 
so  much  benefit  to  our  c(mnty.    He  is  a  fair, 
lumest  and  faithful  legislator  for  the  people. 
Enterprising  and  public   spirited,   he  is  not 
pieayiinish  and  small  like  some  who  seek  to 
make  a  record  of  economy,  yet  he  is  always  to 
be  feared  by  those  who  would  unjustly  get  the 
peophi's  money  from  the  county  treasury. 
Mr.    Morehouse   was   educated    in  the  log 
cabin  school  house  of  the  pioneer  days,  with 
greased  paper  and  slab  seats.    He  lived  on 
that  primitive  diet  of  the  early  days,  corn 
bread  and  sassafras  tea.     It  was  in  this  kind 
of  an  eilucational  institution  in  Montgomery 
county,  Indiana,  that  he  competed  with  Hon. 
Joseph  E.  McDonald,of  thatstate,for  the  best 
record  in  the  multiplication  table,  for  it  was 
there  that  they  were  schoolmates  t<)gether. 
Mr.    Morehonse    lives    with    his  faithful 


helpmeet  on  a  farm  in  Somer,  which  they 
have  i)laced  in  a  high  state  of  improvement, 
and  no  where  are  more  hospitable  and  cour- 
teous people  to  be  found  than  at  Ins  moilel 
home.  


Eldkk  Gkraiu)  W.  Hii.ky. 
This  reverend  gentleman  and  most  efli- 
cient  minister  of  the  Gospel  was  born  Sep- 
tember 2,  1813,   in  Clermont  county.   Ohio. 
His  parents  were  John  W.  and   Sarah  (Con- 
nery)  Kiley.    Sh(utly  after  his  birth  his  par- 
ents removed  to  Harriscm  county.  Kentucky, 
bat  when  he  was  six  years  of  age  they  re- 
turned to  Clermont  county,  where  he  re- 
mained with  them  until  the  summer  of  183:1 
He    was  converted  during   the   winter   or 
spring  of  1833  at  Bethel,  Ohio,   under  the 
preaching  of  Rev.  Aaron  Sargent  and  be- 
came at  once  an  active  member  of  the  church. 
In  June,  1833,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Bethire  McClain,  and  soon  after,   accompa- 
nied by  his  parents,  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  at  Bloomlield.      He    and   his    wife 
united  with  the  church  at   Blooinfield,  of 
which  his  father,  who  'J.as  a  Baptist  minis- 
ter, had  the  pastoral  charge.    In  November, 
IS:^'.,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  the 
church  gave  him  license  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel.   For  forty-five  years,  with  untiring   in- 
dustry and  righteous  enthusiasm,  he  follow- 
ed this  high  calling  with   a  success  that,  of 
itself,  is  a  proud  monument  to  his  memory. 
The  country  was  new,   population  sparse 
and  settlements  distixnt  from  each  other; 
this  made  the  labor  of  his  calling  very  dif- 
ferent in  chara.'ter  fn.m  that  of  the  present 


PIONEKRS   OF  CHAMPAION  COUNTY. 


88 


day.  He  was  regularly  ordained  to  the  Gos- 
pel ministry  at  the  call  of  the  Bloomtield 
church,  August  13,  is:«,  and  became  pastor 
of  that  church,  giving  them  half  his  time 
while  the  other  half  was  spent  at  other 
points.  He  had  only  received,  at  this  time 
the  education  he  could  get  in  the  primitive 
schools  of  that  day,  and  he  soon  felt  keenly 
the  want  of  a  higher  culture  and  more  thor- 
ough education.  In  January,  1837,  he  rode 
on  horseback  from  Bloomtield  to  Alton  to 
attend  Shurtlelf  college,  which  was  then, 
and  is  now,  conducted  by  the  Baptist  denom- 
ination; but  finding  tiie  expense  too  great 
for  his  limited  means,  he  abandoned  it  and 
returned  home  the  same  month. 

Elder  lliley  learned  the   cabinet  maker's 
trade  and  he  worked  at  this  at  Bloomfield, 
giving  all  his  leisure  time  to  studying  such 
helps  as  he  could  jirocure  until  the  fall  of 
18.3S,  wlien  lie  took  his  wife  in  a  buggy  and 
drove  to  Ohio  to  enter  Granville  college, 
still  harboring  an  earnest  desire  for  a  col- 
legiate education  ;  before  arrangements  were 
completed  he  received  a  call  to  the  church 
at  Falnumth,  Kentucky,  at  which  place  there 
was  a  good  school  and  he  thought  for  a  time 
of  accepting  it,  but  his  Bloomfield  brethren 
were  so  earnest  in  their  desire  for  his  labors 
there  that  he  came  back  from  Ohio  and  be- 
came their  pastor,  and  remained  there  for 
twelve  years.    We  can  form  some  idea  of 
the  immense  labor  he  performed,  in  these 
early  years,  and  the  gratifying  success  which 
attended  his  ministrations  by  quoting  from 
a  memorandum  which  he  made  during  his 
labors  there,  as  follows:  "During  the  whole 
of  my  ministry  1  have  traveled  on  an  aver- 
age about  1200  miles  per  year— seven  years- 
making  8400  miles,  preached  200  sermons 
per  year,  or  1400  sermons,  fifty  of  which 
have    been     funerals,     constructed     nine 
churches,  ordained  three  ministers,  attended 
nineteen  associations  and  three  conventions. 
1    received   during    the  seven    years  from 
churches  aliout  seventy-five  dollars  per  year. 
I  paid  out  of  this  about  twenty-five  dollars 
for  benevolent  purposes;  built  three  good 
meeting  houses." 

In  the  fall  of  1848  he  removed  to  Paris, 
Edgar  county,  Illinois,  and  took  charge  of 
the  church,  meantime  supplying  the  Bloom- 
field church  once  a  month.  In  the  winter  of 
Is.'iS  lie  closed  his  labors  at  Paris,  accepted 
the  pastorati!  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  Ur- 
bana,  and  removed  here  in  January,  18.59 ; 
he  remained  as  pastor  for  eleven  years,  leav- 
ing it  with  a  membership  of  nearly  three 
hundred  in  1870,  to  take  charge  of  the  church 
in  Champaign,  where  he  undertook  the 
erection  of  a  new  meeting  house ;  he  raised 
the  funds,  suiM!rintended  the  work  and  la- 

10 


bored  untiringly  till  it  was  completed;  at  its 
dedication  tlie  church  was  indebted  to  him 
six  hundred  dollars  on  salary,  all  of  which, 
on  the  day  of  dedication,  he  gave  to  the 
church.  In  1872,  having  built  the  church  in 
Champaign,  he  returned  to  the  Urbana 
church  and  preached  lor  them  for  two  years; 
from  here  he  went  to  the  South  Street 
church,  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  preached 
two  years,  thence  again  to  Paris  where  he 
remained  until  1879,  at  which  time  he  came 
back  to  Urbana  to  spend  the  remainer  of  his 
days.  Though  sixty-six  years  old  he  could 
not  be  idle  and  continued  to  labor,  one  year 
at  Tolono  and  afterwards  supplying  Bour- 
bon and  Fairmount,  having  an  appointment 
at  the  latter  place  the  Sabbath  following  his 
death,  which  occurred  August  18,  1881,  at  his 
home  in  Urbana. 

His  widow  still  survives  him  and  resides 
in  this  city.  His  children  are  Ninian  A., 
who  married  Ennna  D.  Porter,  and  is  in  the 
dry  goods  business  here,  and  Ozias  G.,  who 
married  Frances  Busey,  and  is  in  the  jewel- 
ry business  in  Champaign.  Five  daughters 
were  also  born  to  them,  but  they  died  in 
youth. 

Mr.  Kiley  was  formerly  a  Douglas  demo- 
crat, but  the  war  issues  coming  up  he  be- 
came an  ardent  republican.  He  was  ap- 
pointed U.  S.  revenue  assessor  by  President 
Lincoln  in  1863,  which  office  he  held  until 
the  forepart  of  Andrew  Johnson's  term, 
when  he  gave  way  to  the  democrat  that  the 
new  president  appointed  to  succeed  him. 

Though  this  good  man  is  gone  from  among 
us  his  influence  and  high  example  is  felt,  to- 
day, and  doubtless  will  be  for  years  to  come. 
Over  the  entire  Bloomfield  district  the  work 
of  Elder  Kiley  is  visible.  Scarcely  a  church 
organization  in  it  but  his  labors  have  helped 
to  build  up;  scarcely  a  church  spire  in  it 
but  his  hand,  nerved  by  the  grace  of  God, 
has  helped  to  point  toward  heayen.  Count- 
less christians,  almost,  have  felt  the  cheer- 
ing solace  of  his  kindly  interest  in  their 
eternal  welfare,  and  who  shall  say  how  far 
down  the  years  to  come  the  seed  he  sowed 
in  the  vineyard  of  his  Master  shall  spring 
up  in  the  hearts  of  those  that  come  after 
him.  He  was  a  pure  and  noble  man,  whose 
highest  ambition  was  to  benefit  his  fellow 
men.  Liberal  in  his  charities,  generous  in  his 
donations,  of  time  and  money,  to  the  cause  he 
served,  kind  to  all  with  whom  he  came  in 
contact,  affable  in  demeanor,  charitable  to- 
wards the  weaknesses  of  men,  warmed  by 
true  christian  love  and  upheld  by  an  unfal- 
tering faith,who  shall  measure  the  extent  of 
his  usefulness  during  his  long  and  intensely 
active  life? 


89 


PIONKKRS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


William  Wallace   Graham 

Was  born  July  7,  184!2,  at  Huron,  Wayne 
county,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  Urbana  at  the 
aK<'  ot  eighteen,  in  October  IbKiO,  to  seelc  his 
lortvnie.  He  looked  for  it  on  a  farm  near 
Tolono,  husking  corn  during  the  fall  and 
winter  until  March  12,  1861,  when  he  began 
clerking  for  Ingersoll  &  Cutcheon,  in  their 
dry  goods  store  in  Urbana.  While  this 
latter  occupation  was  more  congenial  to  his 
tastes  and  ideas  of  life,  yet  he  was  destined 
for  other  and  more  serious  duties.  He  was 
among  the  lirst  to  register  his  name  upon 
the  roll  of  soldiei's  that  went  early  in  the 
war  to  defend  the  flag,  so  unrighteously 
attacked  by  treason.  This  occurred  in  June 
1861.  He  joined  the  company  of  Captain 
Boyden,  Co.  K.,  2.'-.th  111.  lleg't,  111.  Vol. 
Inf't'y.  He  left  for  the  front  in  August  1801 ; 
h(!  followed  the  fortunes  of  the  regiment 
until  October  1802,  when  he  was  discharged 
for  disability,  the  exposure  and  hardshijis 
JMiing  too  great  for  the  young  patriot.  He 
then  clerked  again  for  Ingersoll  it  ("utcheon 
until  the  spring  of  1808,  when  he  went  south 
with  Cutcheon  A  (Jriggs  and  remaiiK'd  with 
them  until  May  18(J4.  During  the  siiort  time 
he  had  been  in  Urbana  he  had  met  Miss 
Nelli(!  Griggs,  the  daughter  of  Hon.  C.  R. 
(4riggs.  He  was  stricken  with  her  gentle 
manners  and  winning  charms  and  permitted 
his  adniinition  to  ripen  into  love.  Tlie  result 
may  be  safely  guessed.  The  young  lady 
return(!d  it  with  interest  and  the  liai>py  and 
line  looking  couple  were  made  one  May  lit, 
1804.  He  and  his  young  wife  soon  after 
locate<l  on  a  farm  near  Philo  and  farmed 
there  lor  two  years.  He  worked  on  the  I., 
B.   iV:  W.  K.  \\.  lor  two  y»'ars  as   insi>ector. 


In  1870  he  formed  a  copartnership  with  M. 
Lowenstern  in  the  dry  goods  business,  and 
was  engaged  in  same  business  nearly  all  the 
time  until  1880,  when  he  went  to  Norwalk, 
Ohio,  as  a  paymaster  and  contractor  of  tlie 
Wheeling  and  Lake  Erie  railroad.  In  this 
position  he  was  very  successful  and  ac- 
cumulated a  comfortable  fortune.  In  May, 
1884,  he  resigneil  the  (jttlce  to  open  a  coal 
mine  at  Sherodsville,  Carroll  Co.,  Ohio, 
where  he  is  now  mining  five  hundred  tons 
of  the  dusky  diamonds  daily. 

The  children  surviving  are:  Maud  E.  and 
King  ]{.,  both  at  home  with  their  parents  at 
Norwalk,  Ohio.  He  is  a  radical  republican 
in  politics  and  votes  the  ticket  just  as  it  is 
printed.  Mr.  Graham  is  a  successfiU  business 
man  and  gives  his  best  energies  to  it,  but  he 
enjoys  a  hunt  and  a  few  days  of  recreation 
annually.  He  tells  a  story  admirably  and  is 
a  royal  entertainer  at  his  always  hospitable 
home  where  he  is  ably  seconde<l  by  his  ac- 
comi)lished  wife. 


v  ••••/ 


?%?3 


JnxiK  Josi'.i'H  W.  Sim. 

This  well  known  lawyer,  jurist  and  old 
settler  of  Urbana,  was  born  Noveml)er  1st, 
18:^1,  near  ]\Iouut  \'eriu)n,    Knox  county,  O. 

The  !Siuis  are  of  Scotch  descent  and  were 
decende<l  from  the  Bruce'.s,  of  Scotland  and 
having  taken  part  in  tlie.Stnartcause,  which 
was  lost,  they  came  to  this  country  as  ref- 
ugees, about  the  time  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  their  large  estates  in  Scotland  having 
beei\  conliscated.  The  three  brothers  settled 
in  the  colonies. 

Colonel  Joseph  Sim  fought  with  LuFay- 
ette  and  (ieneral  (iicene  in   the  revolution- 


PIONEERS  OV  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


90 


ary  war,  and  afterwards  settled  in  what  is 
now  Frederick  eounty,  Maryland.  Antliony 
Sim,  son  of  Col.  Josei)li  Sim,  settled  in 
Frederick  eounty,  ]V[ary!and.  at  the  same 
time.  He  left  two  sons,  .Josepli  W.  and 
Thomas  Sim.  Joseph  removed  to  Ohio  in 
the  spring  of  ISol  and  settled  in  Knox  coun- 
ty, near  Mt.  Vernon.  He  was  thc^ 
father  of  Judge  Josei)ii  W.  Sim,  the  suhject 
of  this  sketch  and  of  live  other  sons  and 
five  daughters;  four  sons  ate  dead  and  one 
daugnter.  A  daughter  of  Col.  Josejih  Sim 
was  the  mother  of  John  Nelson,  once  chief 
justice  of  tiie  United  States  supreme  court 
and  minister  to  France. 

Judge  Sim's  jiarents,  Joseph  W.  and  Kit- 
turah  (Mercer)  Sim,  came  to  this  county  in 
th(^  spring  of  1S54  and  settled  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Isaac  Downs,  one  and  a  half 
miles  east  of  this  city.  Joseph  W.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  liad  preceded  them,  ar- 
riving here  in  Novenilier,  is.>5,  and  settling 
at  Url)aiia.  He  had,  at  his  old  home,  in  his 
boyhood,  received  a  good  education  by 
working  on  tlie  farm,  upon  which  he  was 
raised  and  going  to  school  in  the  winter. 
Tliis,  with  one  school  year  spent  at  the 
Fredericktown  (Ohio)  Academy  was  the  op- 
portunity he  improved  to  secure  an  educa- 
tion. Later,  lie  taught  school  in  winter  and 
farmed  in  sunnuer. 

Upon  arrival  at  Urbana,  in  the  fall  of  180:5, 
he  became  the  principal  of  the  Urbana 
school  for  one  term.  In  the  spring  of  18.54 
he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  entering 
the  ottic.e  of  Col.  W.  N.  Coler  at  that  time 
practicing  law  in  Urbana;  he;  stutlied  for 
two  years  and  was  then  examined  by  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  Hon.  O.  L.  Davis,  Hon. 
Leonard  Swett  and  Ward  H.  Lamon.  The 
late  Ex-Senator  and  Ex-Sui)reme  Court 
Judge  David  Davis  was  then  circuit  judge 
and  he  reconuuended  the  young  man  to  the 
supreme  court  of  this  state  for  admission  to 
the  bar  to  practice  law.  He  was  admitted, 
and  at  once  formed  a  paitncrsliip  with  Col. 
W.  Nf.  Coler,  under  the  lirm  name  of  Coler 
ife  Sim,  which  continued  for  about  two  years 
when  J.  C.  Sheldon  was  admitted  to  the 
lirm  and  the  name  was  then  Coler,  Sim  e'er 
Sheldon.  In  lsr)S  Mr.  Sim  withdrew  from 
the  lirm  and  practiced  law  alone  about  a 
year,  when  Hon.  J.  O.  Cunningham  propos- 
ed a  partnership  which  was  accepted,  he 
having  just  graduated  from  a  law  college  at 
Cleveland,  O.  The  lirm  was  known  as  Sim 
&,  Cumiingham.  He  continiu^d  thus  to 
practice  with  gooil  success  until  IHfifi  or  7,  tlie 
conlinement  began  to  tell  upon  his  health; 
he  accordingly  withdrew  from  the  i)racticc 
and  engaged  in  farming,  having  prior  there- 
to purcha.sed  the  farm  now  owned  by  E.  A. 


Shaw  and  Fred  I'ell,  one  half  mile  south  of 
llrbana.  He  continued  fanning  and  stock 
raising  until  the  fall  of  1873,  when  he  was 
elected  judge  of  the  county  court  of  Cham- 
paign county,  in  which  position  he  ably 
served  the  people  for  one  term  of  four  years 
but  declined  to  be  a  candidate  for  renomina- 
tion,  and  entered  again  into  the  active  prac- 
tice of  the  law,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged. 
His  long  experience  at  the  bar  and  upon  the 
bench,  together  wifcli  his  studious  habits  and 
good  reasfming  faculties,  make  him  a  safe 
coimselor  in  the  business  affairs  of  those 
who  contemplate  submitting  their  claims  to 
the  courts. 

Judge  Sim  was  mayor  of  the  city  for  two 
terms,  from  June  1864  to  June  1866,  during 
which  time  he  negotiated  and  consummated 
the  building  of  the  Urbana  street  railroad. 

He  was  married  June  2.5, 18.57,  at  Urbana, 
to  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  the  late  Col.  M.  W. 
Busey  (whose  portrait  and  biography  ap- 
l)ears  elsewhere) ;  she  is  still  living  and  has 
bornehim  the  following  children:  Cora  A., 
who  married  John  A.  McClurg  and  resides 
in  Urbana;  Kitturah  E.,  Mary  E.  and  Anna, 
who  reside  at  home. 

Judge  Sim  has  for  many  years  been  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  in 
which  faith  he  is  rearing  his  family. 

Politically,  Judge  Sim  was  in  his  early 
manhood  a  whig  and  was  in  his  youth  imbu- 
ed with  abolition  ideas.  He  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Gen.  Winlield  Scott.  At  about  the  time 
of  his  arrival  in  this  county  the  late  Senator 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  introduced  in  congress 
his  great  state  sovereignty  uleas  in  the  dis- 
(Hissiou  of  the  famous  Kansas-Nebraska  bill. 
The  young  man  of  whom  we  write  took  a 
deep  interest  in  the  proceedings  of  that  con- 
gress, joined  and  heartily  supported  the  re- 
publican party  then  formed.  Hi  the  cam- 
paign of  1856  he  was  a  pronounced  Fremont 
man  and  canvassed  the  county  for  the  re- 
l)ublican  tick(^t,  laboring  earnestly  for  its 
success.  He  has  been  an  unswerving  re- 
miblican  ever  since. 

He  has  a  beautiful  home  on  Green  street 
in  this  city,  to  which  he  retires  from  business 
cares  and  enjoys  its  comforts  surroimded  by 
an  interesting  family  who  are  diligent  in 
making  it  attractive  and  pleasant  for  him. 


91 


riDUHNliS   or  CHAMPAIUN  COUNTY. 


John  M.  Spp:>X'ER 
Was  born  in  Alleghany  county,  N.  Y.,  Sept. 
5, 1827.  His  parents  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Asa 
A.  Spencer.  At  tlie  age  of  ten  years  John 
M.,  came  with  his  parents  to  Tracy,  Ohio,  and 
afterwards  in  the  fall  of  1S59,  he  removed  to 
this  coxuity  and  settled  in  Crittenden  town- 
ship, where  his  life  work  was  done.  He  was 
married  at  Tracy,  Ohio,  November  3S,  18.5.5,  to 
CjTena  Merry,  who  is  still  living;  and  resides 
on  the  old  home  place  with  their  children, 
James  C,  and  Sheridan  Spencer,  who  are 
both  grown  to  man's  estate.  He  was  con- 
verted and  joined  the  M.  E.  cliurch  in  1857. 
He  followed  blacksmithing  in  Ohio,  before 
coming  west  for  ab(mt  ten  years.  When  he 
came  here  he  brought  with  him  twenty  cows 
and  made  cheese  for  several  years  together 
with  his  farming  operations.  Later  he  en- 
gaged extensively  in  feeding  and  shipping 
cattle,  which  he  found  prolitable. 

He  used  to  chase  the  deer  over  the  prairie 
on  horseback;  he  frequently  swam  the 
Embarrass  river  to  go  to  church.  He  was 
an  uncompromising  republican ;  he  held  the 
office  of  supervisor  for  Crittenden  during 
the  year  isfi4,  but  he  did  not  seek  ollice;  he 
was  always,  however,  to  be  relied  upon  to  do 
gootl,  honest  work  for  the  party  of  liis  clioiee. 
He  was  atllicted  with  paralysis  for  over 
seven  years  prior  to  his  deatli,  wiiich  oc- 
curred at  his  liome,  September  22,  18S.5.  He 
was  a  man  of  decided  views  and  strong 
convictions,  but  he  was  charitable  towards 
those  holding  different  opinions,  and  by  his 
coiuteous  treatment  of  all,  won  tin;  love  and 
respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a 
faitiiful  laborer  in   his  church   and   was  an 


untiring  worker  in  the  cause  of  Sunday 
schools.  He  believed  that  tiie  children  who 
were  imbued  with  religious  ideas  would 
more  certainly  liud  tlie  fold  than  those 
whose  early  impressions  were  made  by  more 
worldly  teachings.  His  deeds  on  earth  were 
prompted  by  a  pure  heart  and  guided  by  a 
well  balanced  mind.  He  will  long  be  re- 
membered by  the  peopleof  Crittenden  town- 
ship for  his  many  virtues  and  acts  of  kind- 
ness. 


Francis  Martin  Snyder. 

This  old  settler,  jirinter  and  journalist,  was 
born  November  19th,  18:^,  at  Honesdale, 
Wayne  county.  Pa.  His  fath(»r  was  Dr. 
Jacob  F.  Snyder,  well  known  to  the  old 
settlers  of  Urbanaand  vicinity.  His  mother 
was  Miss  Asenath  H.  Strong.  His  father 
died  March  28rd,  1862,  and  his  mother, 
January  26th,  1880. 

Frank.  M.  Snyder  came  with  his  father 
and  family,  October  17th.  18.50,  from  Terre 
Haute,  Indiana,  to  make  their  future  home: 
he  had,  in  February  18.50,  beguii  to  learn  the 
printer's  trade.  When  W.  N.  Coler  and  H. 
K.  Davis  started  the  Urhana  Ihiion,  Mr. 
Snyder  was  employed,  and  set  the  tirst  type 
for  a  newspaper,  in  IJrbana.  He  has  fol- 
lowed the  business  as  joinneyman,  e<litor 
or  publisher,  almost  continuously  ever  since. 
He  edited  and  imblislied  the  Urbana  Kepub- 
lican  (afterward  merged  into  the  Cham- 
paign County  Hkhai-d)  for  ten  years. 
Later,  he  published  the  Bulletin  from  April 
1st,  1879  to  April  1st,  1880.  Mr.  Snyder  met 
with  many  disasters  in  the  newspaper  busi- 
ness; in   1S71,   his  office  was  consumed  by 


PIONKKIIS  OF  VHAMPAION  COUNTY. 


92 


fire;  in  1874,  he  suircied  Rioat  loss  by  fire, 
and  in  1878  lie  was  burned  ont  the  third 
time;  he  arose  each  time  from  the  ashes 
and  continued  to  imblish  a  newsjiaper  all 
the  same.  In  18S2  he  took  a  position  as  com- 
positor, on  the  Hekali)  and  holds  tlie  posi- 
tion now. 

He  was  married  .June  ;31st,  ISdO,  to 
Miss  Clara  Goodsiieed,  who  is  still  living 
and  has  borne  him  the  t'oilowintr  children: 
Frank  H.,  married  and  residing  in  Cham- 
jiaign;  Charles  L.,  now  pressman  in  the 
11i;i:ai,I)  ofiice;  (ieorge  N.,  (deceased); 
Annelta  Loiuse,  AiniaMay,  Callie  Asenath, 
Edward  and  Fred  Grant;  all  those  living, 
exceiit  Frank  S.,  reside  at  home  with  their 
parents. 

Mr.  Snyder  was  reared  a  demoeiat  and 
cast  his  lirst  vote  for  James  Buchanan  and 
his  second  lor  Stei)hen  A  Douglas,  in  1860; 
h(!  remained  a  democrat  until  1><(W,  when  the 
war  issues  came  and  he  left  his  home  and 
the  democratic  party  at  the  same  time  and 
entered  the  army  in  Co.  B,  7>th  Regiment 
111.  A^)l.  Infty,  in  July,  and  served  three 
years.  He  particii)ated  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  battles  of  Jackson,  Mobile,  and 
other  minor  engagements  in  which  his  gal- 
lant regiment  took  i)ait.  He  did  a  soldier's 
duty  for  his  country  and  returned  home  in 
October,  lb'6.5,  somewhat  broken  down  in 
health,  but  continued  his  former  imrsuits, 
surmounting  ditticultics  and  disasters,  as 
befor(!  reeiteil,  tliat  would  htive  discouraged 
a  man  with  less  determination  and  courage 
than  he  jiossessed.  He  v.  David  Gay  was 
his  successor  in  the  publication  of  the  Ke- 
l)ublican,  having  been  his  partner  from  June 
until  September  l'>;78\ 

Mr.  Snyder  is  now  serving  his  second  term 
as  town  clerk  of  Urbana  townsliip,  a  posi- 
tion he  is  well  fitted  to  till. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and 
is  one  of  the  deacons  of  the  church,  in  this 
city,  and  is  also  its  clerk. 

He  is  prominent  in  Odd  Fellowship,  and 
has  passed  the  chairs  in  both  the  Subordin- 
ate Lodge  and  in  the  Encampment.  He  has 
been  secretary  of  tht^  Lodge  No.  i:59,  and 
scribe  of  Encampment  No.  9>.  also  adju- 
tant of  Post  121),  G.  A.  K.,  many  years,  and 
tlie  records  he  has  kei)t  speak  for  him  as  a 
careful,  painstakimr  and  correct  otlicer.  A 
conscientious  christian,  a  bright  and  true 
Odd  Fellow,  an  industrious  and  competent 
workman  in  his  chosen  calling,  a  staunch 
republican,  a  good  citizen  and  neighbor,  he 
has  the  coiitidence  and  respect  of  the  entire 
community. 


William  H.  Jaqi  ks. 
Mr.  Jaijues  was  born  February  8th,  ISriii. 
in  Geauga  county,  Ohio,  then  known  as 
New  Connecticut  or  Western  Picserve.  But 
little  is  known  of  his  father,  Henry  Ja<iues, 
who  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in 
1789,  of  French  parentage,  and  was  appren- 
ticed to  a  shoemaker  in  Hartford,  Connecti- 
cut, in  180B.  He  married  Elizabeth  Porter, 
in  1814,  and  settled  in  Munsoii,  Geauga 
county,  Ohio,  in  1819,  and  built  a  "log  cabin" 
in  the  midst  of  a  dense  forest.  He  died  in 
February,  1829,  leaving  a  widow  and  family 
of  seven  small  children,  four  of  whom  are 
still  living,  the  mother  having  died  in  1880, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-three  years. 
W.  H.  Jaques,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
settled  in  Joliet,  Hlinois,  in  1845,  and  worked 
at  his  tratle,  (a  practical  tinner).  He  mar- 
ried Eliza  P.Dunham,  in  1846.  Two  chil- 
dren, a  son  and  daughter,  were  the  fruits  of 
this  union.  J.  H.  Jaques,  the  son,  is  still 
living  and  resides  in  Tolono,  in  this 
county,  with  whom  his  father,  AVilliam  H., 
makes  his  home,  his  wife  and  daughter  hav- 
ing died  in  Joliet,  in  18.52.  When  the  gold 
fever  was  raging,  Mr.  Jaques  became  in- 
fected and  crossed  the  plains  in  18.50,  and 
worked  with  varying  success  in  the  hill  sides 
and  gulches,  mountain  tojis  and  valleys, 
river  banks  and  river  beds,  for  two  years; 
he  returned  to  Joliet  in  July  18.52  having  ac- 
cumulated little  money  but  a  great  deal  of 
experience.  He  came  to  Urbana  in  October, 
18.52  and  established  the  first  stove  store  and 
tin  slioj);  he  manufactured  the  lirst  tin  ware 
ever  made  in  Champaign  county.  He  ex- 
hibited tinware  of  his  own  make  at  the  lirst 


93 


PIONKERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


fair  ever  lield  in  tlie  county.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarali  A.  Whipple  in  P^ebniary,  1854; 
she  died  May  1st,  1857.  He  then  sold  out 
liis  business  to  Sutton  Brothers  and  in  18.59 
returned  with  ins  mother  and  ciiildren  to 
Oliio.  He  enlisted  in  1802,  as  a  private  in 
10.3rd  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
until  tlie  close  of  the  war.  He  returned  to 
Chauii)ait?n  county,  ui  1806,  located  in  Tolo- 
no,  and  engaged  in  tlie  sale  of  hardware, 
stoves,  agricultural  implements,  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  tinware.  Mr.  Jaques  has 
never  sought  or  held  any  office,  but  was  a 
whig  of  the  Clay  and  Webster  stamp.  He 
believed  then  as  he  does  now  that  it  was  the 
duty  of  the  government  to  levy  a  tariff  with  a 
view  of  protecting  home  industries.  He  early 
imbibed  a  hatred  of  American  slavery  and 
when  the  republican  party  was  organized  to 
check  its  progress  he  eagerly  joined  its 
ranks,  and  is  to-day  as  he  himself  exjiresses 
it,  a  "dyed  in  the  wool"  republican,  because 
that  party  advocates  his  ideas  of  protection 
to  American  labor,  and  meets  his  views  up- 
on other  questions  as  well.  Mr.  Jaques  can 
always  be  lelied  upon  in  business  matters 
as  well  as  politics.  You  always  know  where 
to  lind  him.  Quiet  in  his  demeanor,  charit- 
able where  there  is  any  just  claim,  truthful, 
honorable,  and  reliable,  he  is  a  good  type  of 
the  successful  business  men  of  the  west. 


Haunaki)  Kki.i.kv. 

Mr.  Kelley  was  boi  m  in  18is,  at  Moneynena 

county.  Derry,  Ireland.      His  parents  were 

Patrick  and  Anne   (Donahue)    Kelley.     At 

th(!  age  of  'iri  years  in  1842,  Barnard  bid  fare- 


well  to  the  green  shores  of  his  native 
land  and  crossed  the  Ocean  to  the  new 
world.  He  had  received  very  little  educa- 
tion, but  he  i)o.ssessed  natural  talents  of  a 
high  order  and  had  self  reliance  and  courage 
which  made  him  successful  in  his  new  home 
in  the  west.  Upon  his  arrival  in  the  United 
States  he  sought  the  waiting  hospitality  of 
his  cousin,  Patrick  Kelley  at  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania.  This  cousin  soon  learned 
to  place  implicit  conhdence  in  the  young 
Irishman  that  had  sought  his  home  for  his 
abode  in  this  far  olf  land,  and  learned  ere 
long  to  jtrize  tlie  ability  of  Barnard  to  assist 
him  in  his  extensive  business.  He  employed 
Barnard  to  go  to  the  west,  buy  and  drive 
large  droves  of  cattle  to  the  eastern  market, 
at  that  time  coniiuing  his  buying  to  the 
stat«  of  Ohio.  This  Barnard  did  for  his 
cousin  for  about  a  year  wlien  he  manifested 
such  aptness  in  trading,  such  energy  and 
push  as  a  dealer  and  drover  that  Patiick 
took  him  in  partnership  with  himself  and 
another  cousin  named  James  McKenna. 
During  the  partnership  Barnard  made  a 
number  of  trijis  to  Illinois  and  was  struck 
with  the  splendid  outlook  in  Chami»aign 
county,  for  farming  and  stock  raising.  In 
18.50,  he  located  permanently  in  this  eoiinfy 
and  entered  among  other  lands  the  farm 
three  miles  northwest  of  Champaign,  on  the 
Bloomington  road,  known  in  later  years  as 
the  Clevenger  farm.  For  several  years  he 
leased  this  and  other  farms,  but  linaily 
settled  upon  this  one  and  jdaced  it  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation;  he  sold  it  in  1868  to  the 
Clevengers  and  moved  to  tlie  section,  two 
and  a  half  miles  south  of  Champaign,  upon 
which  he  resided  the  remainder  of  his  day.s. 
Mr.  Kelley  entered  lartre  tracts  of  land  in 
this  county,  and  also  large  bodies  in  Iowa. 
It  is  l)elieved  that  he  has  owned  more  land 
here  and  in  Iowa,  than  any  man  that  ever 
lived  in  the  county.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  had  (lisp()sed  of  all  his  lands,  but  about 
1,000  acres.  John  Campbell  (brother  of 
Archa  Campooll)  and  In;  were  in  partner- 
ship in  their  land  transactions  and  cattle 
business  in  1851,  and  for  a  few  years  there- 
after. He  continued  pretty  much  all  his 
life  to  deal  extensively  in  cattle.  During 
the  war  he  bought  a  great  many  mules  for 
the  government,  and  dealt  largely  in  them 
for  several  years. 

In  his  later  years  he  saw  the  necessity  for 
pure  breeds  of  line  horses  and  was  the  lirst 
man  in  the  county  to  go  to  Kentucky  and 
buy  the  hnest  strains  of  trotting  stock,  jtaying 
for  the  very  best  horses  obtainable  the 
highest  price.  At  our  county  fairs,  he  was 
always  an  e.Nlen.sive  exhibitor  and  thus 
cultivated  among  the  peoi)le  a  desire  for 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


94 


good  stock.  Mr.  Kelley  accumulated  a  large 
fortune  by  investing  in  lands,  dealing  in 
stock,  farming  and  stock  raising  and  did  as 
much  as  any  man  towards  placing  this 
county  in  its  present  advanced  position,  with 
reference  to  tine  stock  of  all  classes. 

In  politics,  he  was  an  ardent  democrat, 
and  his  strong  common  sense  made  him  a 
wise  conselor  among  the  leaders.  He  was 
never  married,  but  no  man  had  a  higher 
regard  for  good  women  than  he.  Having 
no  family  of  his  own  he  took  great  pleasure 
in  helping  all  his  relatives,  both  here  and 
back  in  Ireland.  He  frequently  sent  back 
large  sums  of  money  to  Ireland  to  his  sisters. 
He  died  Jiuie  21, 1884,  at  his  home  south  of 
Cliampaign. 

Mr.  Kelley  had  many  admirable  traits  of 
cliaracter,  prominent  among  which  was  his 
innate  honesty.  He  set  up  a  iiigh  standard 
of  honesty  for  himself,  and  guaged  the 
actions  of  mankind  by  it.  If  they  fell  be- 
low it,  he  had  no  use  for  them.  No  fine 
spun  theories  or  specious  reasoning  could 
drive  him  away  from  what  he  deemed  and 
instinctively  knew  to  be  right.  He  despised 
special  pleas  for  a  wrong  and  had  no  patience 
with  men  who  by  artitice,  chicanery,  or 
devious  ways  accomplished  their  ends. 
Right,  he  believed,  needed  no  defender  as  it 
wronged  no  one.  His  friendships  were  not 
lightly  formed,  but  when  once  made  there 
were  no  lengths  that  he  would  not  go  to  aid 
in  strengthening  tlie  bonds.  If  they  were 
broken  it  was  never  a  fault  of  his.  Few 
men  have  ever  lived  in  the  county  who  gave 
away  so  much  in  cliarity.  He  was  always 
giving,  though  so  quietly  and  unostenta- 
tiously, that  his  intimate  friends  even  did  not 
know  it.  Many  a  poor  man  has  cause  to 
bless  Mr.  Kelley  for  gifts  that  came  to  him 
at  an  opportune  moment.  After  they  were 
made  he  did  not  like  to  be  reminded  of  them. 
He  despised  that  kind  of  charity  that  pro- 
claimed itself  from  the  housetops  calling 
mankind  to  witness  its  good  deeds.  He 
gave  often,  perhaps  unworthily  at  times, 
but  he  could  not  help  it.  His  generous 
nature  and  kind,  warm  heart  responded  to 
every  kind  of  ''harity.  To  give  did  him 
gootl.  He  was  never  happier  than  wiien  he 
was  assisting  some  one  poorer  than  himself. 
Beneath  a  rough  exterior,  a  face  bronzed  by 
long  exposure  in  an  out  door  life,  a  souie- 
wliat  harsh  voice  and  abrupt  manner,  there 
was  a  nature  so  kindly  gentle,  so  honest  and 
trusting,  tiiat  a  child  could  lead,  and  yet  so 
strong  that  no  antagonism  could  drive. 
When  he  trusted  and  gave  ills  confidence  he 
did  it  implicitly  fully  and  unconditionally. 

Charity  sat  too  safely  enthroned  to  be 
driven  out  by  the  ingratitude  (if   man.    To 


the  church  he  was  liberal  and  gave  largely 
of  his  means.  In  fact  he  was  for  many 
years  the  chief  supporter  of  the  Catholic 
church  in  this  county. 


Arthur  W.  McNichols 
Was  born  May  9,  1849,  at  Newton,  Miami 

county,  Ohio.  He  was  engaged  in  his  native 
state  much  as  other  boys  of  his  age,  until  he 
came  to  this  city  in  1863.  From  the  time  of 
his  ariival  here  until  1865  he  labored  hard  to 
get  a  good  education,  going  to  school  in  the 
winter  and  working  upon  a  farm  in  the  sum- 
mer. He  succeeded  in  getting  a  fair  English 
education.  Febiuary  18,  1865,  although  only 
past  tiftcen  years  of  age,  he  -enlisted  in  com- 
pany A,  154th  regiment  Illinois  volunteer  in- 
fantry, and  served  one  year.  It  is  believed 
he  was  the  youngest  of  the  soldiers  that 
went  from  this  county  to  the  war.  Soon 
after  his  return  from  the  army,  the  war  be- 
ing over,  he  started  again  in  the  paths  of 
peace. 

In  the  spring  of  1866  he  took  a  position  as 
clerk  in  William  Sim's  drug  store  in  Urbana 
and  remained  there  two  and  a  half  years. 
Here  he  learned  thoroughly  the  drug  and 
prescription  business,  and  afterwards  clerk- 
ed for  one  year  at  H.  Swannell's,  in  Cham- 
paign. He  then  took  charge  of  a  drug  store 
in  same  city  for 'Neil.  Sim  &Bro.  for  a  short 
time;  then  he  bought  grain  for  J.  Bacon  for 
two  years,  at  the  close  of  which  engagement 
he  went  with  It.  A.  Harvey  to  Tolono,  where 
he  has  been  ever  since  engaged  in  the  drug 
and  grocery  business.  He  is  one  of  our  most 
careful  and  competent  business  men. 

He  was  married  February  34th,  1870,  to 


95 


I'lUJSKEltS  UF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


Miss  Sarah  Littler,  daugliter  of  the  late 
Samuel  Littler,  of  Urbana.  To  them  have 
been  born  six  bright,  beautiful  children,  viz: 
Ernest,  Nellie,  Mabel,  Ira,  Mae  and  Maud. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  cluirch  and  has 
been  for  years  a  member  of  the  ciioir. 
Though  in  delicate  health  for  some  years, 
yet  she  has  that  ambition  and  rare  domestic 
traits  that  enables  her  to  maintain  a  neat 
and  tastv  home. 

Politically  Mr.  McNichols  is  a  republican, 
having  grown  up  in  that  faith.  His  service 
in  tlie  army  strengtiiened  it  and  his  mature 
judgment,  formed  by  close  observation  of 
men  and  the  course  of  political  parties,  lias 
given  a  still  more  stalwart  character  to  his 
political  belief.  He  does  not,  of  course, 
carry  his  politics  into  his  business,  nor  on 
the  other  hand  does  he  allow  his  business  to 
influence  his  politics.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor  of  this 
state  and  is  now  holding  the  office  of  Dic- 
tator for  the  second  term. 


KiTFUS  A.  Hakvey 
Was  born  August  30,  184.5,  at  Urbana,  Illi- 
nois. His  father  and  mother  were  Moses 
1).  Harvey  and  Olive  (Towner)  Harvey, 
early  pioneers  of  the  county,  and  settled  at 
Urbana  in  1839,  coming  from  Oiiif*.  Kufus 
received  a  good  education  in  tiie  sciiools  of 
Urbana,  which  were  tiien  as  tliey  are  now, 
equal  to  any  in  the  state. 

Although  l)ut  nineteen  years  old  and  rath- 
er small  for  one  of  his  age,  lie  succeeded  in 
being  accepted  in  the  army  of  the  union, 
having  made  two  etforts  to  get  in  the  army 
prior  tiiereto.    March  1.5,  isr)4,  lie  enlisted  in 


company  A,  10th  Illinois  cavalry,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war. 

He  was  in  the  grocery  business  in  L^rbana 
after  his  return  under  linn  name  of  Tier- 
nan  &  Harvey,  and  later  he  clerked  for  F. 
Schweizer  in  the  clothing  busine.ss.  He 
read  law  one  year  with  Somers  &  Black,  and 
one  year  with  Sheldon  &  Jaques,  but  did  not 
enter  tlie  practice.  In  lS7i  he  engaged  with 
A.  W.  McNichols  in  drug  and  grocei-y  busi- 
ness in  Tolono,  in  which  he  is  still 
engaged.  Soon  after  he  started  in  business 
at  Tolono  a  young  lady  named  Miss  Lucia 
M.  Vaughn,  came  there  to  teach  in  tlie  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  thriving  village.  Her  vi- 
vacity, culture  and  reflned  manner  naturally 
attracted  the  young  l)achelor's  attention,  al- 
though he  had  almost  become  ]iroof  against 
woman's  charms.  Soon  there  sprang  up  a 
mutual  regard  which  grew  to  genuine  love, 
and  the  result  was  that  they  were  married 
in  1874.  They  have  had  boin  to  them  three 
children,  Guy,  Ada  and  Lola.  Mr.  Harvey 
is  not  a  member  of  any  church,  but  his  hab- 
its are  steady  and  he  has  always  kept  those 
injunctions  which  a  strict  morality  inijioses 
on  all  good  citizens.  Although  he  was 
brought  u))  in  the  strictest  democratic  faith 
the  agitation  of  the  slavery  (piestion  and  his 
experience  iu  the  army  made  of  him  an  un- 
flinching reiniblican.  He  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  four  years  and  is  now- 
the  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
Tolono.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the 
Tolono  Post,  G.  A.  K.,  was  its  lirst  com- 
mander and  served  two  terms.  In  IS^o  he 
started  a  branch  store  at  Pesotum  under  the 
management  of  S.  M.  Harvey,  his  brotlier, 
wliere  they  did  an  extensive  business  for 
several  years  in  the  way  of  general  mer- 
chandise and  in  buying  grain  for  Bucking- 
ham, of  Chicago.  He  is  one  of  the  most 
successful  business  men  in  the  county. 
Mc'Niciioi.s  &  Hakvey. 

As  before  stated  this  lirni  commenced 
business  in  Tolono  in  1S72.  At  that  time  P. 
Richards,  now  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  of  Urbana,  was  t^ngaged  there  in  a 
similar  business,  that  of  (hugs  and  grocer- 
ies. He  was  well  established  and  popular, 
and  the  young  men  found  in  him  a  coin])eti- 
tor  that  was  not  to  be  ignored.  They  gave 
their  personal  attiMition  to  the  details  of  the 
business  and  it  was  not  long  until  they  had 
won  their  share  of  it.  They  were  sharp, 
shrewd,  and  were  of  the  stuft"  of  which  suc- 
cessful business  men  are  made  and  the  re- 
sult has  been  that  their  establishment  has 
long  been  the  leading  one  in  the  town  of 
Tolono,  anil  is  a  very  bee-hive  of  business 
from  morninij;  until  night  every  business  day 
in  the  vear.     Thcv  have  made  a   <rrand   sue- 


PIONEKRS  OF  CIIAMPAION  COUNTY. 


96 


cess  and  are  making  money  as  fast  as  it  can 
be  made  in  a  legitimate  way.  They  are 
public-spirited  and  take  a  front  seat  In  all 
matters  where  the  public  interest  is  at  stake. 


Hon.  M.  L.  Dunlap. 

Mathias  L.  Dunlap  was  oorn  September 
21,  1814,  at  Canajoharie,  N.  Y.  His  parents 
were  William  I.  and  Margaret  Dunlap,  who 
were  farmers  in  moderate  circumstances. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  chose  to  make  a 
living  for  himself.  He  accepted  a  clerkship 
in  a  store  at  five  dollars  per  month,  which 
position  he  hekl  until  November,  18:^,  at 
which  time  he  concluded  to  go  west  and 
join  his  father's  family,  who  had  removed 
to  Troy  Grove,  Illinois,  near  Ottawa.  He 
arrived  at  Chicago  in  December  and  taught 
school  at  Troy  Grove  during  the  winter. 
The  next  sununer  he  clerked  in  the  dry 
goods  store  of  O.  H.  Thompson,  Chicago, 
and  during  his  spare  time  he  completed  the 
study  of  surveying.  He  became  bookkeeper 
for  Hugnin  &  Brown,  ccmtractors  on  the 
Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal,  and  in  Augu.st, 
18:39,  located  on  the  prairie  sixteen  miles 
we^t  of  Chicago,  at  that  time  a  wilderness. 
During  the  next  ten  years  he  spent  a  part  of 
his  time  in  surveying;  he  surveyed  the  west 
half  of  Cook  county  and  the  greater  part  of 
DuPage. 

He  was  married  to  Emeline  Pierce,  Janu- 
ary 7,  1839.  The  surviving  children  of  this 
marriage  are:  II.  J.  Dunlap,  editor  of  the 
Gazette,  Champaign;  Capt.  Oscar  Dunlap, 
of  Grand  View,  Dakota;  Merton,  the  county 
clerk  of  Ford  county,  Illinois;  Albert,  grain 
dealer  at  Savoy ;  Ernest,  a  farmer  near  Sa- 
voy; Henry,  proprietor  of  Rural  Home  fruit 

IS 


farm;  Mrs.  C.  H.  Kisser,  of  Davenport, 
Iowa,  and  Mrs.  R.  G.  Risser,  of  Kankakee, 
Illinois.  Mr.  Dunlap  took  an  active  part  in 
politics  all  his  life.  Formerly  he  was  a  dem- 
ocrat and  later  a  "Free  Soiler,"  and  when 
the  republican  party  was  organized  he  united 
with  it  and  never  deserted  its  ranks.  His 
children  are  all  republicans  and  do  good 
work  for  the  party  at  every  election.  He 
was  postmaster  and  justice  of  the  peace  at 
his  home  in  Cook  county  for  many  years; 
he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  in  18.54  and 
was  one  of  the  leaders  in  getting  the  free 
school  bill  passed  that  winter.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  first  board  of  supervisors  of 
Cook  county  after  township  organization 
was  adopted.  He  removed  to  this  county  in 
18.56,  and  located  on  the  farm  south  of  Cham- 
paign, and  continued  in  the  nursery  busi- 
ness, which  he  had  begun  in  184.5.  He 
I»lanted  a  large  orchard  and  disproved  the 
idea  that  fruit  could  not  be  grown  upon  the 
prairie.  In  September,  1853,  he  began  writ- 
ing for  the  press  under  the  name  of  Rural, 
and  for  twenty-two  years  was  the  agricultur- 
al editor  of  the  Chicago  Tribune.  His  writ- 
ings became  familiar  to  all  reading  farmers, 
both  east  and  west,  and  had  a  beneficial 
effect  on  agriculture.  He  was  editor  of  the 
Illinois  Farmer  from  1860  to  1865  and  at  one 
time  had  a  controlling  interest  in  the  Cham- 
paign Union.  He  was  tendered  the  position 
of  Commissioner  of  Agriculture  by  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  soon  after  the  latter's  election 
in  1860,  but  was  obliged  to  decline  it  on  ac- 
count of  private  business. 

The  location  of  the  Illinois  Industrial 
University  (now  the  University  of  Illinois) 
at  this  place  was  due  as  much  to  his 
influence  and  labor  as  to  any  other  man,  and 
he  always  insisted  that  the  school  should  re- 
main a  purely  agricultural  college.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  first  board  of  trustees  of 
the  University. 

Commencing  life  in  the  backwoods 
of  New  York  with  only  six  months 
schooling,  he  mastered  the  higher 
mathematics,  became  a  leader  in  every  com- 
munity in  which  he  resided,  raised  a  large 
family,  gave  all  his  ciiildren  a  practical  busi- 
ness education  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
had  acquired  a  competency  for  his  children. 
He  died  February  14, 1875,  at  his  home  near 
Savoy. 

His  widow,  Mrs.  Emeline  Dunlap,  is  now 
sixty-eight  years  old  and  still  resides  at  the 
old  home.  She  is  a  woman  of  great  ability 
and  was  of  much  assistance  to  her  husband 
during  his  eventful  and  useful  life.  She  is 
yet  well  preserved  and  will  doubtless  live  to 
a  good  old  age,  beloved  by  her  children, 
honored  and  admired  by  all  who  know  her. 


97 


riONKERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


V  ■ , 

Joiix   KoroHTox. 

John  lloughtou  ^vas  born  in  Derbyshire, 
England,  on  the  5th  of  April,  1819.  At  the 
age  of  thirteen  and  a  half  was  jilaced  as  an 
apprentice  to  his  uncle,  Samuel  Koughton,  a 
blacksmith,  who  resided  nine  miles  from 
the  city  of  Leicester,  and  served  witliout 
wages,  seven  years  and  a  half,  or  until  twen- 
ty-one years  of  age,  having  to  suffer  a  de- 
privation of  all  school  facilities  after  his 
thlrteentli  year.  Whatever  educati(m  he 
has  acquired  has  been  the  sole  result  of 
reading  and  study  during  and  after  his  ap- 
preutlcesiilp,  after  the  expiration  of  which, 
followed  his  trade  in  Euderby,  Thurlaston 
and  Bosworth,  in  Leicestershire,  Stavely  in 
Derbysiilre  andTinsley  Park,  near  Sheffield 
in  Yorkshire,  from  which  place  he  emi- 
grated to  America.  After  a  voyage  of  thirty 
days  he  landed  at  the  city  of  New  York, 
early  in  the  month  of  May,  ISoO.  First  set- 
tled at  Cuyahoga  Falls,  in  Suunnit  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade;  next,  at 
Old  Forge,  near  Akron,  in  the  same  county; 
then  at  I'lketon,  in  Pike  county,  where  lie 
remained  mitll  the  time  of  his  removal  to 
Illinois. 

Ills  parents  were  Gervase  and  Ann 
Itouirhton,  whose  maiden  name  was  Pinnn. 
H(^  was  a  millwright  and  engineer  by  occu- 
liatlon.  In  the  year  ISol  he  was  killed  by 
accidentally  falling  l)etween  the  arms  of  the 
fly  wheel  of  a  stationary  engine  while  in 
motion,  at  the  Staveley  iron  works,  in  Der- 
byshire. Soon  after,  Ann  Houghton,  with 
tlie  rest  of  her  family,  followed  her  son  Joini 
to  the  United  States  and  made  her  home 
with  him,   first  in   Ohio,  and  afterward  in 


Urbana  and  Hant(ml,  III.  During  the  war 
she  returned  to  Ohio  and  died  at  the  home 
of  her  daughter,  Lydla,  in  the  city  of  Jack- 
son, Jackson  county. 

He  tirst  settled  at  Urbana,  early  in  the 
spring  of  1854.  At  first  followed  his  trade,  in 
partneiship  with  Pemhnikc  B. Palmer:  after- 
ward, in  connection  witii  John  G.  Gritlitli. 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  until  in 
November.  1S55,  he  tiled  his  declaration  for 
l>ie-em]ition  on  the  N.  E.  (jr.  of  Stc.  27.  T. 
22,  K.  9,  in  this  county.  In  1861,  removed  to 
the  Big  Grove.  In  1802,  enlisted  in  Co.  G, 
TC.th  111.  Vol.  Infty,  under  Captain  Joseph 
J'ark.  Having  served  three  years,  at  the 
end  of  the  war  again  returned  to  Urbana; 
was  engaged  here  two  years,  and  in  1807 
went  back  to,  and  commenced  improvement 
anew,  of  the  old  irc-emptloi.  in  Ludlow 
townshi)>.  Was  married  on  the  8th  of  No- 
vember, 1842,  at  Market  Bosworth,  in  Lei- 
cestershire, to  Miss  Eliza  Gilbert,  youngest 
daughter  of  Mr.  John  (Gilbert,  a  tanner,  who 
resided  at  Thurlaston  In  the  above  county. 
Throughout  her  married  life,  Mrs.  Rough- 
ton  has  been  distinguished  as  possessing,  in 
a  large  degree,  all  those  finalities  of  head 
and  heart  so  essential  in  a  good  wife,  mothei- 
and  friend.  To  her  habits  of  frugality  and 
industry  may  be  attributed,  to  some  extent, 
the  building  up  and  the  jieriJetuation  of  an 
elaborate  and  ideasant  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roughton  iiave  been  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  four  sous  and  the  tiaughters,  of 
whom  only  one,  Renben,  is  now  living. 
Reuben,  the  third-born  of  the  family,  con- 
tented and  liap|iy.  ever  remains  beneath  the 
paternal  roof.  Equals  he  may  have,  but 
none  ever  excelled  lilm  as  a  filial  and  dutiful 
son.  His  Indomitable  energv  as  well  as  his 
cultivated  taste  are  abundantly  manifested 
by  the  arrangement  of  home  surroundings. 
He  married  Ella,  oldest  daughter  of  Elislia 
N.  and  Julia  A.  Gennng,  wlu)  were  among 
the  earliest  settlers  of  north  Champaign 
county.    They  have  three  children. 

The  religious  element,  ever  in  the  ascend- 
ancy, he  became  in  early  life  a  nu'uiber  of 
the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  became  an  accredited  local 
preacher  and  in  that  denomination  contin- 
ued in  that  cai)aclty  for  twelve  years.  Be- 
ing unable,  however,  to  reconcile  the  liiL'h 
and  exalted  views  he  entertained  of  (ioil 
with  (as  he  then  belleveil)  the  scriptural 
doctrine  of  eternal  life  in  torment,  was 
driven  t«  Inlidelity,  but  was  soon  redeemed 
from  so  cheerless  a  condition  of  mind  by 
being  brought  in  contact  with  the  benign 
Intluence  of  Universalism.  in  the  year  18.59 
he  became  a  member  of  that  church,  and  ex- 
pects t^)   remain  there  until  his  latest  hour. 


PIONEERS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTT. 


98 


He  has  been  a  stalwart  republican  since  1860 
and  lias  never  left  his  lirst  love  to  follow 
after  that  trinity  of  false  gods,  viz:  Green- 
backisni,nuigwinn|jisni  and  St.  Johnism.  He 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  ten  years,  in 
I^udlow  to\vnshii>,  and  commissioner  of 
highways  six  years;  was  elected  and  serv- 
ed on  the  lirst  board  of  school  directors  in 
the  village  of  Kantoul,  and  ten  years  as 
school  director  in  Ludlow  school  district  No. 
2;  he  was,  (luite  a  number  of  years,  overseer 
of  highways  and  census  enumerator  for  the 
township  in  ISSO.  In  the  same  year  visited 
his  native  country.  He  has,  through  life, 
cast  his  influence  on  the  side  of  morality 
and  virtue,  has  for  more  tlian  forty  years 
been  an  advocate  of  temperance,  and  has, 
both  in  Urbana  and  Kantoul,  been  identi- 
tied  with  Good  Templars,  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance, open  temperance  associations.  Odd 
Fellowship  and  Free  Masonry.  He  was  a 
charter  member  of  the  Champaign  Creamery 
association,  the  Kantoul  Maplewood  Ceme- 
tery association  and  the  Illinois  Reserve 
Fund  Life  Insurance  association;  also  one 
of  the  originators  and  president  of  the  North 
Champaign  County  Permanent  Road  Im- 
provement association  and  Farmers'  Club, 
North  Champaign  County  Auxiliary  Histori- 
cal association,  and  has  always  been  a  high- 
minded  and  enterprising  citizen  of  our 
county.        


James  S.  Gkrk. 
This  early  settler  of  Urbana  was  born  in 
April,  1S17,  in  Genesee  county,  New   York. 
His  i)arents  were  John  and   Polly   (Clark) 
Gere. 


James  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came 
to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  is:^>,  from  Gen- 
f)see  county.  New  York,  and  settled  at  Ur- 
bana.   He  came  here  in  debt  and  was  pay- 
ing twelve  and  a  half  per  cent,  interest.    He 
kept,  for  a  number  of  years,  the  Champaign 
house  and  the  stage  stopped  there  for  many 
years  when  that  was  the  only  means  of  trav- 
el through  this  section  of  country.    During 
that  time  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
brother,  John  Gere,  and  kept  a  general  store 
for  about  ten  years.    He  and  his  brother 
John  bought  800  acres  of  timber  in  the  grove 
near  Urbana  and  about  the  same  amount 
near  Bourbon,  Douglas  county,  Illinois,  and 
they   filled  a  contract  for  200,000  ties  and 
15,000  cords  of  wood  for  the  Illinois  Central 
railroad.      After  the  dissolution  of  the  firm 
James  S.  furnished  60,000  ties  for  the  Great 
Western  (now  Wabash)   railroad.    In  Feb- 
ruary, 1857,  he  went  to  New  Orleans  and 
bought  eleven  tons  ot  sugar,  which  was  sold 
out  by  the  tirm  of  J.    and  J.  S.   Gere.    lie 
had  succeeded  well  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness and  he  made  about  eleven  thousand 
dollars  out  of  his  railroad  contracts.    This 
was  a  large  sum  of  money  in  those  days  and 
he  was  what  might  be  termed  a  rich  man  in 
the  pioneer  times  of  this  county.    He  had  a 
well-balanced  mind  and  gave  some  attention 
to  the  law.    For  many  years  there  were  few 
cases  tried  here  that  he  was  not  on  either 
one  side  or  the  other.    He  held  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace  for  a  long  time  and  he 
was  regarded  as  one  of  the  ablest  and  fair- 
est men  who  tilled  that  position. 

He  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1839,  in  Clin- 
ton, Vermilion  county,  Indiana,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Lee,  who  died  in  the  winter  of 
18.55.  Six  children  were  born  to  them,  as 
follows:  Emma,  who  married  iJurdette 
Wright,  residing  now  at  Arthur,  Illinois; 
Mary,  who  married  Newton  I.  Cooper ;  War- 
ren B.,  who  married  Miss  Jennie  Thompson 
and  resides  at  Areola,  Illinois;  Addle  M., 
who  married  George  Lochrie  antl  resides  at 
Murray,  Iowa;  Olive  L.,  who  married  S.  B. 
Kadebaugh,  now  postmaster  at  Urbana,  and 
Nettie,  who  is  now  deceased. 

Mr.  Gere  did  not  subscribe  to  the  orthodox 
beliefs  in  reference  to  the  future,  but  be- 
lieved in  the  doctrines  of  the  Universalists. 
He  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  had  the 
ability  to  defend  with  force  and  effect  both 
his  political  and  religious  faith. 

Mr.  S.  P.  Percival,  of  Champaign,  relates 
an  incident  of  interest  as  to  Mr.  Gere.  He 
says  that  he  (Percival),  then  a  young  man, 
was  driving  an  ox  team  through  Urbana  and 
stopped  on  the  street  to  listen  to  an  auction- 
eer who  was  extolling  the  excellence  of  his 
goods.    Mr.  Gere  approached  him  ( Percival) 


99 


PIONKEltS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


and  said,  "Young  man.  are  you  going  to  stop 
in  this  country?"  Upon  answering  tliat  he 
was,  yir.  Gere  reniarl^ed,  "Then  you  had 
better  not  be  stopping  around  here,  but  go 
about  your  business,  and  you  will  make 
money."  Mr.  Percival  obeyed  the  injunc- 
tion and  made  the  money ;  he  says  he  has 
thought  of  it  all  through  life  and  believes  it 
was  the  best  advice  he  ever  received. 

Mr.  Gere  died  April  10th,  18.58. 

Mr.  Gere  was  a  man  of  good  judgment  and 
seldom  missed  it  in  business  calculations. 
It  can  safely  be  said  that  his  social  qualities 
and  integrity  were  such  that  he  had  a  friend 
in  every  citizen  of  the  county. 


Fountain  J.  Busey. 

Among  the  few  pioneers  left  of  Cham- 
paign county  is  "Fount"  Busey,  of  Sidney 
township.  lie  was  born  in  Shelby  county, 
Kentucky,  February  17th,  1817.  lie  was  the 
son  of  Matthew  and  Sallie  (Fible)  Busey. 
His  father  died  in  1864  at  the  advanced  age 
of  eighty-live  years;  his  mother  still  sur- 
vives and  has  reached  the  great  age  of  nine- 
ty-five years. 

The  Busey  family  came  to  the  county  in  the 
fall  of  1829.  They  settled  on  the  tract  of  land 
now  owned  by  Sol.  Knox.  Later  they  moved 
to  a  place  since  owned  by  Paris  Shepherd,  in 
Urbana  township.  There  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  married  Mi.ss  Maria  Sliepherd  in  1841. 
Timt  union  has  resulted  in  the  following 
named  children:  Matthew,  who  married 
Miss  Jane  Bowman;  Jerusha,  wife  of  Lon 
Wilson;  James  H.,  unmarried;  Ann,  wife 
of  James  Thompson;  Simeon  F.,  married 


Miss  Fannie  Wilson;  Mary  and  Luella.  All 
of  the  children  are  residents  of  the  countv. 
Mr.  Busey  was  a  boy  of  twelve  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  came  to  this  county. 

He  remained  beneath  the  parental  roof 
until  a  short  time  before  his  marriage.  The 
lirst  land  he  owned  was  an  eighty  acre  tract 
near  Urbana,  a  part  of  which  is  no  a^  owned 
by  J.  H.  Morris.  He  entereil  it  and  paid 
$1.25  per  acre.  He  traded  that  for  land  on 
the  Sangamon  and  in  1848 sold  tliat  and  jiur- 
chased  the  tract  at  Sidney,  upon  wh  ich  he  has 
lived  ever  since.  The  village  of  Sidney  had 
been  laid  out  the  year  previous,  but  there 
was  no  store,  or  in  fact  anything,  except  a 
few  stakes  to  indicate  where  the  future  town 
of  Sidney  was  to  be.  The  first  merchant  was 
James  Whitconib  and  the  tirst  postmaster 
was  Si.  White. 

The  only  house  then  between  Sidney  and 
Urbana  was  Penrose  Stidham's.  Mr.  Busey 
recollects  well  tiie  lirst  store  tiiat  was  open- 
ed in  Urbana  by  T.  R.  Webber.  It  was  on 
the  day  before  the  night  on  which  the  stars 
fell.  Mr.  B.  states  he  was  in  town  that  day 
and  went  out  home,  east  of  Urbana,  and 
in  the  night  it  absolutely  rained  stars,  but  he 
adds  he  was  not  "scared."  His  motiier  and 
he  took  their  tirst  grist  of  corn  (about  a  half 
bushel)  to  a  Mr.  Smith's,  who  had  a  hand 
mill,  and  had  it  ground  for  the  family  use. 
The  tirst  band  mill  was  owned  by  Mr.  Field- 
er. It  was  located  on  the  old  Roe  place. 
The  tirst  water  mill  was  operated  by  a  Mr. 
Hempenstall.  It  was  in  the  Big  Grove,  and 
was  subsequently  known  as  the  Morris 
mill.  It  ground  corn  and  sawed  lumber.  A 
Mr.  Russell  subsecpiently  put  up  a  mill  near 
James  Boyd's,  that  ground  wheat,  but  the 
flour  had  to  be  bolted  by  hand. 

Mr.  B.  also  relates  the  incident  of  the 
grand  hurrah  and  blow  outafter  the  location 
of  the  county  seat.  It  was  agreed  among 
the  neighbors  around  Urbana  and  the  Big 
Grove  that  when  the  county  seat  was  located 
to  have  a  big  Fourth  of  July.  Accordingly 
the  brush  was  cut  otf  and  cleared  away 
where  now  stands  the  house  of  Joseph 
Park.  A  large  floor  was  laid,  the  tiddler 
was  called  and  they  danced,  sang  and  had  a 
merry  time,  you  may  be  suie. 

At  that  time  the  laud  office  was  located  at 
Palestine,  on  the  Wabash  river.  Subse- 
quently it  was  removed  to  Danville. 

Many  other  incidents  of  the  lirst  settle- 
ment are  related  by  Mr.  Busey,  that  want 
of  space  prevents  mention. 

Mr.  B.  has  met  with  success  in  life  and  is 
the  possessor  of  a  competency.  He  has  500 
acres  of  land  all  under  line  cultivation,  well 
fenced  and  stocked.  In  addition  he  has  giv- 
en his  children  300  acres.    He  also  owns  a 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPA  ION  VOUNTY. 


100 


business  house  in  Sidney. 

Politically,  Mr.  Busey  comes  from  good 
old  democratic  stock,  and  is  in  lull  com- 
nnniion  witii  that  jiarty.  lie  cast  his  tirst 
vote  for  Martin  VanBuren  tor  president  in 
1840,  and  from  tliat  day  to  the  last  election 
he  lias  steadily  followed  the  varying  for- 
tunes of  that  venerable  itolitical  organization. 


Henuy  Wili.ky  Rennkr 
Was  born  March  5, 1830,  in  Shenandoah  Co., 

Va.,  about  tifty  miles  south  from  Harper's 
Ferry.  His  father,  Henry  llemier,  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  was  born  in  Fieder- 
ick  county.  May  6,  1796.  His  grandfather, 
Isaac  Kenner,  was  of  Pennsylvania  stock. 
H.W's  mother  was  Mary  M.  (Willey)  Renner, 
daughter  of  Parson  Willey,  of  Woodstock, 
Va.  She  was  born  June  29,  1800.  Her 
father  was  a  German  Refoi'med  Presbyter- 
ian minister  and  was  born  in  Switzerland, 
coming  to  the  new  world  as  a  missionary 
when  he  reached  man's  estate.  Miss  Willey 
was  frail  in  body,  but  strong  in  mind  and 
christian  faitli  and  works,  and  her  children 
"rise  up  to  call  her  blessed."  The  grand- 
mothers of  Henry  VV.  were  both  of  Huguenot 
blood  and  character.  His  parents  were 
married  April  18,  1826,  and  lived  on  a  farm 
until  1840,  when  they  moved  to  Woodstock, 
the  county  seat  of  Shenandoah  county, 
where  they  resided  twelve  years,  and  re- 
moved to  Licking  county,  Ohio.  In  1869  they 
sold  their  farm  and  moved  to  Rantoul,  in 
this  county,  the  mother  dying  there  Dec.  26, 
1870.  The  father  died  there  January  21, 
1883,  almost  eighty-six   years  old. 

Henry  W.  Renner,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  married  to  Miss  Phebe  A.  Will- 
iams,  daughter  of   Hon.  E.  O,  Williams,  of 

I!) 


Licking  Co.,  Ohio,  April  2nd  isryl.  He 
packed  their  effects  in  a  wagon  and  after  a 
two  weeks'  drive,  settled  May  25,  1857,  on 
section  four,  in  Newcomb  townshiji,  now 
Condit,  where  they  resided  for  eight  years, 
and  then  removed  to  section  lour  in  Rantoul 
township,  where  Mr.  Renner  with  his  pres- 
ent family  yet  resides.  Miss  Williams  was 
the  eldest  cliild,  and  having  lost  her  mother 
at  the  tender  age  of  thirteen  years,  all  her 
single  life  was  spent  in  filling  a  mother's 
lilace.  She  joined  the  Presbyterian  church 
in  Jersey,  Ohio,  in  childhood  and  contiiuied 
an  active  worker  in  church,  choir,  and 
Sabbath  school,  until  her  marriage  and  re- 
moval to  Illinois.  To  this  union  were  born 
five  children,  to-wit:  Enos  Henry,  Anna 
Lucinda  (wife  of  William  A.  Rusk)  and 
Sylvester  Willey,  all  living  in  Champaign; 
Alary  C.  and  Libbie  S.,  twin  Misses  of  six- 
teen, living  at  home.  His  first  wife  died 
November  26,  1873.  Mr.  R.  was  again  mar- 
ried September  2sth,  1876,  to  Miss  Julia 
Smith,  eldest  daughter  of  James  D.  Smith, 
Es(i.,  of  Wayne,  Pa.  Miss  Smith  was  born 
Dec.  7,  1840,  entered  the  High  school  at 
VVaterforil  in  1s.t6,  studied  and  taugiit  until 
1863,  entered  Western  Female  Seminary  at 
Oxford,  0.,  and  graduated  in  186.5.  She 
taugiit  three  years  in  the  Seminary,  when 
admonished  by  failing  health  and  the  advice 
of  her  physicians,  she  returned  to  her  native 
state,  but  continued  to  teach  until  her  mar- 
riage, the  last  four  years  being  spent  in 
Titusville,  Pa.  Of  this  union  was  born  Oct. 
4,  1881,  one  son,  Charles  Ashley,  who  died 
April  5,  1882. 

Mr.  Renner  seems  cosmopolitan  in  his 
religion,  being  at  home  with  all  who  hold 
the  great  central  truths  of  tlie  Ortliodox 
faith.  He  seldom  tells  to  which  division  of 
the  Grand  Army  he  belongs.  He  was  con- 
verted in  childhood  and  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  Woodstock  and  at 
once  took  a  class  in  the  Sabbatii  school.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  he  began  going  to  out 
of  the  way  places  to  teach,  superintend  or 
organize  Sabbath  schools,  a  work  which  he 
faithfully  kept  up  until  called  to  do  similar 
work  in  connection  with  the  Township  and 
county  Sabbath  school  association  in  this 
county.  He  was  one  of  tlie  original  mem- 
bers of  the  Jersey  Presbyterian  church  in 
Condit  township,  and  held  the  position  of 
trustee,  secretiiry  and  ruling  elder.  In  the 
First  Congregational  church  of  Rantoul,  he 
was  trustee,  secretary  and  senior  deacon.  At 
present  he  is  a  member  of  the  official  board, 
of  connnittee  on  church  extension  and 
church  records  and  the  district  steward  in 
the  M.  E.  church  at  Rantoul.  He  is  also  a 
life  member  of  the  County  Bible  society. 


101 


PIONICKRS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  CODNTY. 


\ 


The  Champaign  County  S.  S.  association 
was  organized  July  34  and  25,  18G6,  and  Mr. 
K.  toolv  part  in  the  convention  at  Rantoul  in 
the  following  September;  he  became  presi- 
dent of  the  Hantoul  S.  S.  A.,  July  4th.  1867, 
which  position  he  still  holds  and  is  conse- 
quently the  ablest  vice  president  in  the 
county  association.  He  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Co.  S.  S.  A.  in  1872  and  still  holds 
that  position;  he  was  president  of  the  as- 
sociation in  1878-9. 

Mr.  Kenner  acted  with  the  democratic  party 
until  the  farmers  movement  in  1873  and  when 
the  greenback  party  was  organized  he  joined 
it  and  voted  for  Peter  Cooper  in  1870  and  for 
Weaver,  in  1880.  In  1884,  liowever,  he  voted 
for  the  prohibition  candidate  John  P.  St. 
John.  He  is  now  chairman  of  the  pro- 
hibition club  in  Rantoul.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  school  trustee,  commissioner  of 
highways,  supervisor  from  Condit,  and  has 
since  served  as  assessor,  collector  and  magis- 
trate. Mr.  Renner  learned  the  trade  of 
blacksmith  in  his  father's  shop  in  Wood- 
stock, and  the  use  of  tools  in  the  wagon 
shop;  this  has  been  of  service  to  him  on  the 

farm. 
Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  one  of  the  best 

farmers  and  most  earnest  Sabbath  school 

workers  of  our  county.    We  trust  that  he 

may  continue  to  be  prosperous  in  business 

and  sow  seed  in  the  field  he  has  chosen  that 

shall  "bring  forth  an  hundred  fold." 


Hon.  Auki.  Harwood. 

This  distinguished  New  Englandcr  and 
resident  of  Cliampaign  was  born  iu  North 
Brooklield,  Mass.,  November  2;^,  1814.  He 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  til!  he  was  sev- 
enteen  yeais  of  age  and  clerked  in  a  store 


for  two  years.  He  attended  school  from 
time  to  time  and  finally  graduated  from  Am- 
herst college  in  1841,  intending  at  the  time  to 
make  teaching  his  profession  in  life.  He 
paid  the  expenses  of  his  school  life  from 
his  own  earnings,  e.xcept  small  sums  con- 
tributed by  his  father  from  time  to  time,  to 
the  amount  of  about  one  thousand  dollars. 
Soon  after  his  graduation,  he  married  Miss 
Mary  D.  Batcheller,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Tyler  Batcheller,  of  North  Brookfield, 
Mass.,  having  prior  to  this  marriage  engage- 
ed  to  take  charge  of  an  Academy  at  Ed- 
wardsville,  Illinois,  and  was  to  receive  the 
full  income  for  his  salary.  The  board  or 
trustees,  however,  concluded  to  place  an- 
other teacher  with  him  and  thus  divide  the 
income.  He  said  nothing  of  this  change 
to  his  people,  however,  and  married  with 
the  expectation  of  accepting  even  half  the 
income  in  order  to  gain  a  foothold  in  the  west. 
After  starting  for  the  west  he  concluded  that 
the  times  were  better  in  Kentucky  than  in 
Illinois,  and  with  his  young  bride  went  to 
Shelby  county.  Kentucky.  Here  he  found 
an  intelligent  peoitle,  a  good  school  and  good 
pay,  where  his  young  wife  could  assist  him. 
They  were  successful  and  were  urged  to 
stay  by  an  offer  of  still  better  terms;  but 
he  thought  it  best  to  go  where  there  was 
still  more  money  and  a  larger  population; 
he  therefore,  went  to  Lexington,  Ky.,  in  the 
heart  of  the  Blue  Grass  region.  Soon  lie 
gained  the  recognition  of  some  of  the  best 
families  and  got  up  a  school  for  young  la- 
dies in  which  calling  he  wis  eminently  suc- 
cessful, but  his  health  failed;  although  urg- 
ed to  continue  by  his  wealthy  i)atrons  he 
concluded  to  change  his  occupation  for  one 
less  injurious  to  his  health.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  the  shoo  business,  the  first  year 
his  sales  were  :i?8,000,  and  the  business  in- 
creased regularly  each  year  for  nine  years, 
when  his  annual  sales  amounted  .54(),()()i)  and 
he  had  accumulated  a  neat  little  capital  for 
business  or  investment. 

In  June,  18.52,  when  the  Illinois  Central 
railroad  had  been  surveyed  and  its  construc- 
tion had  been  connuenced  he  came  to  Dan- 
ville, 111.,  for  the  i)nrpose  of  buying  a  small 
farm,  at  the  government  sales,  for  a  friend ; 
he  was  struck  with  tlu^  itros])ects  of  the 
country  and  caught  the  land  lever  in  its 
most  malignant  form.  On  his  return  to 
Lexington  a  buyer  for  his  shoe  business  was 
found  waiting  and  he  sold  it  for  S17,()(M),  not 
witiumt  giving  the  matter  however,  careful 
thought  and  sulunilting  it  to  his  wife  for  final 
decision.  It  wasgoi)ig  toa  free  state,  and  this 
doubtless  had  much  to  do  with  tlie  decision. 

In  the  months  of  August  and  September 
following  he  attended  the  land  .sales  at  Dan- 


PIONKKliS    Of  VHAMl'AiUN  COUNTY. 


102 


ville,  111.,  and  bought  nearly  3,000  acres  of 
the  rich  prairie  lands  in  McLean,  Cham- 
paign and  riatt  counties,  most  of  which,  by 
using  land  warrants,  he  bought  at  about 
Sl.OO  per  acre.  After  coming  to  Illinois  to 
reside  he  bought  of  private  parties  nearly 
2,000  acres  more,  paying  for  these  a  higher 
price. 

In  February.  lSo3,  he  removed  to  Bloom- 
ingt(m,  111.,  and  after  becoming  settled,  en- 
gaged again  in  the  shoe  business  with  Mr. 
O.  Rugg  as  partner ;  he  had  clerked  for  Mr. 
Harwood  in  Kentucky,  and  had  married  his 
(Harwood's)  sister.  While  Mr.  Rugg  was 
managing  this  business,  which  was  very  suc- 
cessful, Mr.  Ilarwood  was  imi)roving  his 
over  four  thousand  acres  of  lands.  He  built 
about  forty  miles  of  board  fence,  and  placed 
up(m  each  farm  a  house  costing  about  •'if.WO. 
December  8,  18.56,  his  wife  died  leaving 
to  Mr.  Harwood's  sole  care  hve  y(mng  chil- 
dren. In  June,  1858,  he  married  Miss  Isa- 
btdla  D.  Boyd,  whose  family  had  the  year 
before  moved  from  Kentucky.  She  is  still 
living  affording  companionship  and  cheer  to 
her  husband  in  the  latter  years  of  his  lite. 
Mr.  Ilai-wood  is  imi)ressed  with  the  belief 
that  his  happiness  and  success  in  life  is 
due  to  the  instinctive  counsel  of  woman. 

His  first  wife  bore  him  six  children:  Mary 
N.,  who  married  George  W.  Ilarwood,  then 
of  North  Brooktield,  Mass.,  and  resides  in 
Champaign;  Emma  L.,  who  married  Wil- 
liam O.  Cady,  of  Bloomington ;  Ella  A.,  who 
married  John  C.  Stevenson,  also  of  Bloom- 
ington; Ida  E.,  who,  when  an  in- 
fant, was  taken  into  the  family  of 
Dr.  T.  F.  Worrell,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  where  as  one  of  her  two  homes,  she  has 
resided  ever  since;  Martha  Frances,  who 
died  in  infancy,  and  Lueretia,  who  died  in 
1882.  His  present  wife  is  the  mother  of  five 
children,  as  follows:  Isabella  Susan,  who 
married  Mr.  Calvin  C.  Staley,  of  Champaign ; 
Willscm  Boyd,  a  promising  boy,  died  at  the 
age  of  ten  years;  Caroline  Rebecca  and 
Francis  Abel  died  in  infancy;  the  other  also 
died  before  receiving  any  name. 

In  the  spring  of  18(36  the  board  fences  on 
his  lands  in  Cl)ami)aigu  county,  having  been 
standing  for  ten  years,  he  concluded  to  grow 
hedge  fences  to  take  their  place.  At  the 
suggestion  of  his  wile,  who  was  desirous  of 
having  Mr.  Harwood  at  home  more,  he  mov- 
ed to  one  of  his  farms  in  Newcomb  town- 
ship in  this  county,  about  four  miles  north- 
west of  Mahomet.  Here  they  remained  four 
years,  growing  eleven  miles  of  hedge  and 
carrying  on  general  fainiing  and  stock  lais- 
ing  extensively  at  the  same  time.  During 
this  four  years  he  cleared  from  the  live  hun- 
dred acres  he  thus  improved,  over  S8,()00,  al- 


though but  a  novice  in  farming  operations; 
this  we  mention  to  show  the  productiveness 
of  Champaign  county  lands. 

In  the  spring  of  1870,  instead  of  returning 
from  the  farm  to  Bloomington,  he  removed 
to  Champaign  in  order  to  be  near  his  wife's 
people,  who  had  removed  to  Areola.  Here 
he  purchased  a  pleasant  residence  and  here 
he  still  resides.  He  has  sold  all  his  lands 
and  is  not  now  engaged  in  any  mercantile  or 
agricultural  pursuit.  Having  a  comfortable 
competency,  made  by  a  life  of  labor  and  by 
good  judgment  in  investments,  he  finds,  as 
he  jocosely  says,  plenty  to  do,  even  now,  in 
"minding  his  own  business,"  and  is  firmly 
of  the  opinion  that  it  will  pay  any  man  to 
do  so  whether  on  the  farm,  in  the  workshop, 
the  store  or  in  retirement  at  home. 

Mr.  Harwood's  mother  was  a  member  of  a 
Baptist  church,  and  his  father,  while  not  a 
member,  was  in  sympathy  with  lier  views. 
His  first  wife's  mother  was  a  Baptist  but 
her  father  was  a  prominent  deacon  in  the 
Congregational  church  in  North  Brookfield, 
Mass.,  and  afterwards  in  the  old  Park  street 
church  in  Boston.  The  mother  of  his  pres- 
ent wife  was  a  Baptist  while  her  father  was 
an  efficient  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
most  of  his  life.  Mr.  Harwood  himself,  both 
his  wives  and  all  his  children  that  reached 
ten  years  of  age  became  connected  with  some 
church,  Presbyterian  or  Congregational, 
early  in  life.  At  present,  all  living  are  con- 
nected with  some  Presbyterian  church.  He 
has  never  held  any  church  office  but  has 
been  a  member  of  some  Sabbath  school 
nearly  all  his  life,  either  as  scholar,  teacher 
or  superintendent.  Mr.  Harwood  is  grandly 
orthodox  in  his  belief  in  the  Divine  inspira- 
tion of  the  Bible  and  in  Jesus  Christ  as  the 
son  of  God,  and  as  the  only  name  under 
Heaven  whereby  we  must  be  saved,  if  saved 
at  all. 

In  politics  he  is  a  republican,  and  casts 
his  vote  and  uses  his  influence  for  pure  pri- 
maries and  a  higher  standard  of  political 
morals  in  the  contests  for  i)referment.  For 
two  terms  he  was  supervisor  from  Newcomb 
township;  his  second  term  he  was  chairman 
of  the  board.  He  was  urged  by  both  demo- 
crats and  rei)ublicans  to  serve  another  term, 
but  private  business  prevented,  though  he 
has  never  forgotten  the  kindly  compliment 
paid  him  by  their  miitcd  confidence,  and  has 
a  warm  place  yet  iu  his  heart  for  both  the 
democrats  and  republicans  of  Newcomb. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  constitutional 
convention  of  1!^69  an«l  1870,  that  framed  the 
present  constitution  of  the  state  of  Illinois, 
rei)resenting  in  that  cfmvention  the  counties 
of  Champaisn,  Piatt,  Moultrie  and  Macon. 
Mr.  Harwood  was  an  efiicient  member  ot 
that  body  of  men,  who  made  the  chart  which 


103 


PIONKERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


has  guided  this  great  commonwealth  for 
nearly  two  decades,  and  bids  fair  to  last  for 
yet  other  decades  of  time  without  material 
change. 

Mr.  Harwood  has,  by  his  own  efforts,  by  a 
life  of  industry  and  honorable  conduct,  carv- 
ed out  a  goodly  fortune  and  has  erected  also 
a  character  as  a  hlghminded,  christian  gen- 
tleman, which  should  serve  as  a  model  for 
otliers  to  follow. 

Dignilied  in  demeanor,  courteous  to  all, 
faithful  in  every  trust  and  relation  in  life, 
Mr.  Harwood  is  passing  his  latter  years,  be- 
loved by  his  family  and  friends,  and  respect- 
ed and  honored  by  all. 


Daniel  Kugg. 
This  gentleman  Vt^ho  conducts,  to-day,  the 
second  oldest  business  house  in  Champaign, 
was  born  May  30,  1830,  in  the  good  old  town 
of  Heath,  Franklin  county,  Massachusetts, 
whicli  county  is  said  to  liave  as  many  steep 
hills  to  the  square  mile  as  any  other  in  New 
England.  The  centeimial  celebration  of  the 
town  was  held  last  year,  18S.5,  with  imposing 
ceremonies.  The  Archives  of  this  town  will 
show  that  the  Rugg  family  were  among  its 
early  and  substantial  settlers.  The  parents 
of  Mr.  Rugg,  both  now  deceased,  were  Reu- 
ben Rugg  and  Sarah  (Nims)  Rugg.  His 
father  was  recognized  as  the  strongest  man 
in  his  district,  wliile  his  nu)ther  was  one  of 
tiie  tallest  women.  They  were,  as  may  be 
seen,  stalwart  in  stature  and  blessed  with 
physical  perfection,  a  heritage  which  cannot 
be  too  highly  valued,  for  of  such  parents 
come  long  lived  and  perfect  men  and  women. 
They  were  as  stalwart  and  strong  in  tlieir 
religious  convictions  as  they  were  in  physi- 


cal structure.  They  were  of  Piu-itan  stock 
and  possessed  those  strict  and  orthodox  at- 
tributes that  have  given  the  people  of  New 
England  a  reputation  for  rigid  honesty  and 
correct  habits,  that  justittes  the  natural 
pride  their  prosterity  feel  in  them.  Their 
descendants  have  helped  to  people  the  great 
west  with  a  race  of  broad-minded  and  enter- 
prising citizens  that  have  made  it  the 
wonder  of  the  world  for  thrift  and  sub- 
stantial progress.  Mr.  Rugg's  parents, 
though  living  some  live  miles  from  their 
place  of  worship,  were  seldom  absent  and 
never  late  to  church,  either  summer  or 
winter. 

Mr.  Rugg  spent  the  larger  portion  of  his 
life  on  a  farm,  prior  to  his  coming  west. 
During  the  winters  of  hisboylu)oil  he  attend- 
ed the  coiuitry  school  until  tar  enough  ad- 
vanced to  enter  the  Shelburn  Falls  Acuidemy 
wiieie  he  obtained  a  liberal  English  educa- 
tion. He  afterwards  taught  the  district 
school,  boarding  around  as  was  the  custom 
in  those  days;  being  needed  at  home,  he 
for  some  years  took  the  management  of  the 
old  home  farm,  where  he  remained  until  lie 
came  west. 

March  8,  18.55,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Philena  Dale  Kallogg,  in  Shelburn,  Mass. 
In  the  following  summer,  he  and  his  young 
wife  bid  farewell  to  the  scenes  of  their  child- 
hood, emigrated  to  Bloomington,  111.,  deter- 
mined to  carve  their  fortune  in  tlie  then 
far  west.  There  he  engaged  in  the  boot  and 
shoe  business,  which  he  has  successfully 
followed  ever  since.  In  December  18.58,  he 
removed  to  Champaign,  (then  WestUrbana) 
and  purchased  the  very  desirable  lot  at  the 
head  of  main  street  upon  which  now  stands 
his  large  three  story  brick  block  called  "The 
Metropolitan."  It  was  erected  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1872  in  coiuiection  with  those  of 
David  Bailey  and  Frank  Walker  adjoining. 
Since  residing  in  Champaign,  Mr.  Rugg  has 
been  a  leading  member  of  the  Congregation- 
al church;  he  was  its  treasurer  many  years 
and  was  a  member  of  its  board  of  trustees 
during  the  erection  of  two  churclies,  one  of 
which  was  destroyed  by  lire  shortly  after  it 
was  completed. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Rugg  has  always  been  a 
republican  and  though  not  a  politician,  he 
can  always  be  relied  upon  to  further  the 
best  interests  of  the  party.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  alderman  several  terms.  October?, 
1877,  the  iiap])y  home  circle  was  broken  by 
the  death  of  his  wife,  who  was  beloved  by 
all  who  knew  her.  Six  children  were  born 
to  them,  three  ot  whom  are  living;  Fred  D., 
the  eldest,  who  since  liis  graduation  at  the 
University  of  Illinois  in  1882,  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  business  with  his  father ;  Mary 


PIONEERS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


104 


E.,  who  married  C.  Feiiton  Hamilton,  and 
Carrie  A.,  attending  scliool  at  iiome.  He 
was  happily  married  again  February  22, 
1SS3,  to  Maria  Thatcher  Fairbank,  of  North 
Brook  Held,  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  Kiigg  was  among  tiie  lirst 
business  men  of  Champaign;  he  canu> 
there  when  a  young  man  with 
limited  capital,  but  by  universal  fair  dealing, 
by  keeping  tlie  most  reliable  goods  an<l  by 
the  exercise  of  good  business  foresight,  he 
has  fairly  earned  the  reputation  of  conductr 
ing  the  largest,  most  reliable  and  successful 
l)oot  and  shoe  house  in  Central  Illinois. 


Kkzin  BoI/Tin 
Was  born  in  Dark  county,  Ohio,  February 
2Rth,  isa;.  He  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Dorcas  (Johnson)  Boltin,  also  natives  of 
Ohio.  In  early  life,  while  yet  a  resident  of 
Ohio,  Mr.  Boltin  learneil  the  cariienter's 
trade,  and  later  the  photographic  art.  As  a 
carpenter  he  assisted  in  building  a  large 
inimber  of  the  buildings  in  tlie  village  of 
Mahomet.  He  came  west  in  September, 
18r>4,  and  settled  at  Middletown,  now  Ma- 
homet, and  there  he  has  made  his  home  to 
the  i)resent.  When  Mr.  Boltin  tirst  went  to 
that  town  theie  were  but  two  stores.  One 
was  kept  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Hill  and 
the  other  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Owens. 
He  has  lived  there  long  enough  to  see  the 
town  grow  up  from  a  small,  insignilicant 
village  to  one  of  nearly  1,0()U  )iopulation. 
Mr.  Boltin  was  tirst  married  to  Polly  Aim 
Brown,  in  Dark  county,  Ohio,  October  27th, 
1847.  She  died  in  Greenville,  Ohio,  in  June 
18.53.  While  a  resident  of  (Jreenville,  he 
married  Mary  Smith.    The  date  of  the  mar- 


riage  was  October  5th,  18.54.  She  died  in 
Mahomet  in  the  fall  of  ISSi.  He  married 
his  pres(;nt  wife,  Rebecca  Sicklider,  in  Dark 
county,  Ohio,  February  21st,  1SS2.  She  is 
still  living.  He  is  the  father  of  tiie  follow- 
ing children:  William  Henry,  married  Ma- 
ry Woodrow,  and  is  a  resident  of  Mahomet; 
James,  married  Hannah  Swanson,  also  of 
Mahomet;  Alice  is  the  wife  of  William 
Tanner,  of  Mahomet;  Elwain  is  single,  War- 
ren also;  Mary  married  (iehart  B.  Tanner, 
and  resides  \n  Mahomet,  as  does  also  Bezin, 
the  youngest  of  the  family.  Mr.  Boltin 
united  with  the  Christian  church  about  thir- 
ty-eight years  ago  and  has  always  been  an 
exemplary  uu^mber.  His  political  affilia- 
tions have  always  been  with  the  republican 
party.  He  is  now  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
Mr.  Boltin  is  numbered  among  the  good 
moral  citizens  of  Mahomet,  and  stands  high 
in  the  estimation  of  the  citizens  of  his  com- 
munity. 


Andrew  Bark. 

Among  the  excellent  citizens  of  our  county 
hailing  from  that  land  of  stalwart  men, 
Scotland,  is  Andrew  Barr.  He  was  born 
October  1st,  1835,  at  Lesmahagow,  Lanark- 
shire, Scotland,  of  good  Scotch  parents,  An- 
drew and  Marian  (Brownlee)  Barr.  Mr. 
Barr  left  his  native  land  in  18.58  and  came  to 
Iro(iuois  county  this  state.  He  farmed  there 
until  November,  1861,  when  he  came  to  Ur- 
bana,  and  has  since  made  this  his  home.  He 
was  married  March  29th,  1S65,  at  Whitehead, 
Wisconsin,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  McBeath,  a 
lady  of  line  education  and  thorough  culture. 
She  was  born  in  1841,   and  is  .still  living. 


105 


PIONKKPS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Tlicy  have  seven  ehiklreii,  iiiiiii('<l  .lames, 
Andrew.  Mnnj^o,  Helle,  Marian,  .Jolm  and 
Susan.  James  is  assisting  his  fatlier  in  tlie 
hrii'k  and  tile  business,  and  the  other  ciiii- 
drcii  are  attending  school.  After  he  had 
been  here  some  time  lie  built  a  planing  and 
.saw  mill,  and  continued  in  that  l)usiuess  u.i- 
til  in  May  lss'2,  when,  seeing  the  demand 
tliere  was  to  be  for  brick,  lie  opened  an  ex- 
tensive brick  yard,  with  a  capacity  of  1.5,000 
per  day  and  removed  his  saw  null  to  a  large 
i)uilding  in  the  yard.  After  getting  the 
brick  business  well  under  way,  he  erected 
large  tile  works,  with  three  kilns,  one  of 
them  having  a  capacity  of  three  of  ordinary 
size.  At  these  works  he  turns  out  about 
;i"),0()0  tile  per  week  and  of  the  very  best 
(|uality.  He  has  a  reputation  for  making 
the  best  tile  that  can  be  made  and  for  using 
only  the  best  material.  Consequently  he 
has  a  ready  sale  for  all  he  can  make,  and 
ships  largely  in  carload  lots  to  different 
points  over  the  state.  He  is  prospering 
linely  and  has  a  pleasant  residence  in  this 
city,  and  owns  the  twenty-four  acres  upon 
which  his  yards  are  situated.  He  went  back 
to  .Scotland  in  ISH.5,  to  visit  the  scenes  of  his 
boyhood.  While  there  he  purchased  five 
splendid  Clydesdale  horses,  since  which 
time  he  keeps  one  or  two  at  his  stables. 
Mr.  Barr  is  a  staunch  republican.  He  is  an 
enterin-ising,  solitl  and  tlirifty  business  man 
and  posse.sses  all  those  manly  qualities  that 
are  characteristic  of  the  hardy  race  from 
w iiich  he  springs. 


l)i;.  I'liii.ii'  C  MosiKi! 
was  born  December  31,  1827,  in   Harrison 
comity.   Indiana.     His  parents  were  (Jeorge 


and  Mariah  (Criswell)  Mosier,  who  were 
married  in  Floyd  county,  Indiana.  Mrs. 
Mosier,  the  mother,  died  before  his  father 
came  to  this  county;  he  came  to  this  county 
in  1854  and  settled  on  a  farm  three  miles 
south  of  Homer,  which  he  improved  from 
a  wild  prairie. 

Philip,  attended  the  common  log  cabin 
school  about  three  months  per  year,  some- 
what irregularly  between  the  age  of  ten  and 
eighteen  years,  after  which  he  taught 
school  to  get  money  with  which  to  buy  books 
in  order  to  prosecute  his  studies  further. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  he  commenced  read- 
ing medicine  with  Dr.  Turner,  of  Jackson- 
ville, Indiana,  and  at  the  end  of  one  ye.ar 
changed  to  Drs.  McNett  and  McKey,  of 
Annapolis,  Parke  county,  Indiana,  and 
while  keeping  at  his  medical  studies  attend- 
ed for  two  terms  the  Western  Agricultural 
College,  near  Annapolis,  which  was  under 
the  control  or  management  of  the  Quakers. 
He  left  this  college  the  term  before  Mr. 
Cannon,  our  present  member  of  congress 
entered  it.  After  leaving  college  he  taught 
for  six  months  to  raise  money  to  purchase 
an  "outfit"  in  the  way  of  books,  instruments 
and  medicines,  for  the  practice  of  medicine. 
He  received  the  princely  salary  of  one  dol- 
lar a  day  and  board  himself,  or  if  he  perfer- 
red  to  "board  around,''  he  had  that  jirivi- 
lege.  The  prices  of  books  and  medicines 
were  much  higher  than  now.  Quinine  was 
$5.00  an  ounce  and  opium  .'H^S.OO  per  pound. 
Having  procured  the  necessary  supplies,  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  at 
Poolsville,  twelve  miles  west  of  LaFayette, 
Indiana.  He  afterwards  practiced  at  New- 
town, 111.,  a  short  time,  and  in  April,  1851, 
he  located  at  Old  Homer,  in  this  county.  At 
that  time  this  was  regarded  as  the  most  sick- 
ly jjortion  of  tlie  state.  Fever  and  Ague  and 
other  malarial  diseases  prevailed  very  gener- 
ally and  Dr.  Mosier  was  thus  engaged  night 
and  day  in  his  practice.  In  the  course  of  a 
few  years  of  such  arduous  labors  his  health 
threatened  to  give  way  and  he  thought  best 
to  abandon  the  practice  and  seek  some  oc- 
cui)ati()n  which  necessitated  less  exposure 
and  loss  of  sleep  and  rest. 

After  eight  years  of  disiiensing  medicines 
in  which  he  was  very  successful  he  engaged 
in  farming,  dealing  in  real  estate  and  loan- 
ing money.  He  has  served  many  years  as 
assessor  of  his  township  and  several  terms 
on  the  board  of  supervisors.  He  has  re- 
sided on  his  present  farm  for  fifteen  years, 
one  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Homer,  and 
has  succeeded  as  a  farmer  admirably,  while 
he  has  enjoyed  better  health,  being  better 
to-day  than  he  has  been  for  40  years.  While 
not  a  robust  man  he  still   shows  the  posse.s- 


PIONEERS   OF  VtlAMPAlOK  COUNTY. 


106 


sioii  of  a  f2;oo(l  constitution  and  bids  fair  to 
live  to  a  {rood  old  age. 

Dr.  Hosier  was  married  April  ISol  to 
Miss  D.  Jane  Burton,  of  Fountain  county, 
Indiana,  who  has  been  tlie  constant  and 
faithful  companion  of  the  Doctor,  through 
all  the  years  of  his  labors  and  still  surrives. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  Clement  and  Ann 
Burton,  of  Virginia.  He  is  what  is  termed 
a  Free-thinker  and  in  some  respects  is  of 
the  Ingersollian  persuasion  ;  he  believes  in 
a  God  but  not  in  the  inspiration  of  the 
scriptures. 

Politically  he  was  a  democrat  until  1856 
at  which  time  he  became  a  republican  and 
has  remained  a  stauucli  and  active  member 
of  the  party  ever  since,  Doctor  Mosier  is  a 
modest  man  and  does  not  force  his  ideas 
upon  any  one,  but  is  an  interesting  con- 
versationalist and  he  soon  convinces  his 
auditors  that  he  is  a  vigorous  and  independ- 
ent thinker  and  must  have  a  reason  for 
any  faith  which  he  embraces.  Honorable  in 
business,  i)leasant  in  manner  and  cautious 
in  action,  lie  lias  the  high  regard  of  all  who 
know  him. 


Samuel  Boyd 
Was  born  in  Ireland,  county  Antrim,- Au- 
gust 2r)th,  1802.  His  parents  were  John 
Boyd  and  Agnes  (Miller)  Boyd.  They  were 
both  Scotch  and  descended  from  a  long  line 
of  Scotch  people.  Mr.  Boyd  was  married 
in  a  I'resbyterian  church,  six  miles  from 
Belfast,  Ireland,  to  Sarah  Miller,  in  October, 
1833.  She  died  in  1848,  at  Lawrenceburg, 
Indiana.  In  184.S,  he,  with  his  family,  con- 
sisting of  wife  and  his  three  eldest  children, 
crossed  the  Atlantic  and  came  tf)  Lawrence- 


l)urg,   Indiana;  there   he  wcnked   in  a  Hour 
mill   and  distillery  until  1851.    He   spent  a 
short  time  at   Kising  Sun,  Ind.,    and  in  1851 
crossed  the  jilains  with  a  six  mule  team  to 
California;  there  he  hunted   for  the  golden 
iiugirets  witli   some  success,  although   sub- 
jected to  the  hardships  and   privations  of 
mining   life,   initil   18.51),   when  he  returned 
and  married   his  second  wife,   Miss   Eliza- 
beth Stafford,  of  Aurora,   Indiana,   in  18.57. 
In  same  year  he  came  to  Champaign  county, 
Illinois,   and  settled   near  St.  Joseph.    He 
had    brought   with    him,    from    California, 
about  §2,000  as  the  result  of  his  California 
mining    o|ierations.    This    he    invested    in 
land,  and  for  twelve  years  successfully  fol- 
lowed farming.    His  children  by  his  first 
wife  are  John  F.,  now  in  Missouri ;  William, 
now  in  Nebraska;  James  M.,   who  resides 
in  Indianapolis  and  is  a  locomotive  engineer; 
Mary  Johnson,  who  resides  south  of  Ur- 
bana,  and  Hugh,    who   resides    near   Lost 
Grove.    James  M.   entered   the  army  and 
served  gallantly  throughout  the  war  for  the 
Union,  and  stands  high  among  the  men  of 
his  calling  as  well  as  among  his  acquaint- 
ances everywhere.  John  F.,  Hugh  and  Wil- 
liam, also  served   through  the  war  in  the 
Union  army.    By   his  second  wife  he  had 
five  children,  two  of  whom  aie  now  living, 
viz:    Jeiniie,  who  is  living  at  home,  and 
Rosa,  who   married  Peter   Good,    and  re- 
sides  north   of  Urbana.      Mr.    Boyd   was 
raised  a     Presbyterian     and   through  the 
greater  part   of  his    life     was     identified 
with    that  stalwart  branch  of   the  christian 
church.    He   and   his   present   wife,    how- 
ever,    are      members     of      the      Baptist 
church.    He  was  forty-six  years  old  before 
he  was  entitled  to  vote,  but  he  allied  him- 
self with  the  whig  party  upon  his  arrival  in 
America,  and  voted  for  Zachary  Taylor  for 
president,   in  1848,    for  Gen.    Scott   in  18.52, 
and  for  Fremont  and  the  succeeding  repub- 
lican candidates  including  James  G.  Blaine, 
in  1884.    He    is  a   hardy   Scotchman    of   84 
years,  and  is  as  active  and  industrious  as  he 
has  always  been.    He  resides  now  about  two 
miles  northeast  of  this  city,  where,  doubt- 
less, his  remaining  years  will  be  spent.    He 
has  lived  to  see  his  family  grow  up  and  en- 
gage in  active  business,  and  he  calmly  and 
conlidently  awaits  the  summons  which  shall 
call  him  to  a  better  world.    Meantime  he 
will  perform  the  duties  of  a  good  citizen,  as 
he  has  always  done  during  a  long  and  ac- 
tive life. 


107 


PIONKERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Early  History  of  Champaign  County. 


LOCATION  OF  COUNTY  SEAT.-PROCEEDINGS  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER'S 
COURT.-COUNTY  OFFICERS  AND  TERMS  OF  SERVICE.— SURPLUS  REV- 
ENUES.--FIRST  SCHOOL  HOUSE.-INTERESTING   INCIDENTS,  ETC. 


May  0th,  A.  I).  1««,  Isaac  Busey,  Jacob 
Bartley  and  George  Akers  liaving  been 
elected  as  the  first  county  commissioners, 
met  at  the  house  of  Phillip  Stanford  and 
organized  the  first  county  connnissioners 
court  for  Champaign  county.  The  tirst  act 
the  court  did  was  to  appoint  Thomson  K. 
Webber  as  clerk.  The  next  was  to  ap- 
point Garrett  Moore  as  con.stable,  then 
Moses  Thomas  assessor  and  treasurer  of  the 
county.  The  next  meeting  of  the  court  was 
held  June  3rd,  at  which  time  T.  K.  Webber 
was  recommended  to  the  governor  to  be  ap- 
pointed recorder,  which  was  done,  his  com- 
mission dating  July  '2d,  1833.  At  this  meet- 
ing Garrett  Moore  was  appointed  surveyor. 
At  the  same  meeting  ISIoses  Thomas  the 
assessor  reported  the  revenue  of  the  county 
to  be  .Sn.37. 

The  court  divided  the  county  into  two 
election  districts,  calling  one  the  Salt  Fork 
precinct  and  appointed  Moses  Thomas,  Kob- 
ert  Prather,  and  Capt.Wm.  Nox,  jr.,as  judg- 
es. The  other  precinct  was  called  the  Big 
Grove,  and  iSIatthew  Busey,  Joshua  Trickle 
and  John  Whittaker  were  appointed  judges. 
The  court  then  adjourned  to  assemble  at 
the  call  of  the  clerk,  when  the  connnission- 
ers, appointed  by  the  act  of  the  legislature 
to  locate  the  county  seat,  should  be  ready  to 
report. 

On  the  21st  day  of  June,  Stephen  B.  Shel- 
ledy  and  John  F.  Kichardson  presented  to 
the  coiu-t  a  written  report  locating  the  coun- 
ty seat  at  Urbana.  The  court  allowed  tlicni 
the  sums  of  SIO  and  iif^iO,  respectively,  for 
their  services.  Some  interesting  incidents 
comiected  with  the  location  of  the  county 
seat  will  be  found  in  the  article  written  by 
Judge  Cunningham. 

In  September,  is:«,  a  plat  of  a  state  road 
was  liled,  running  from  Pekin,  in  Ta/ewell 
county  to  the  40  mile  post  near  the  "Big 
(Jrove."  This  was  located  by  the  legisla- 
ture. 

The  meetings  of  the  court  had  been  here- 
tofore held  at  the  house  of  Phillip  Stanford, 
but  at  the  September  meeting  it  was  onhM-ed 
that  hereafter  they  be  held  at  the  house  ot 
Matthew  Busey.  John  Salisbury  was  ap- 
jjointed  sheriff  soon  after  the  organization, 
and  Septt'mber  2nd,  1S33,  he  was  ordered  to 
proceed  and  collect  the  revenue,  amounting 


to  S~1.37.  As  it  w^as  necessary  to  liave  a 
source  of  revenue,  November  Tth,  is:w.  a 
license  was  granted  to  Isaac  H.  Alexander 
to  retail  goods,  wares  and  merchamlise  until 
the  end  of  the  next  tenn  of  the  court— the 
license  being  SS.  Afterwards  the  time  was 
extended  ■'53.00  worth.  Soon  after  this  the 
commissioners  fixed  the  following  rates  of 
prices  to  be  charged  the  public,  viz:  For 
keeping  a  man  and  horse  one  night,  includ- 
ing supper,  bed  and  horse  feed,  T5  cents; 
single  meal,  18>^  cents;  horse  feed,  12)^ 
cents;  one-half  pint  whiskey, GI4  cents;  one- 
half  pint  French  brandy,  is%  cents;  }4  pmt 
wine,  1S%  cents;  K  pi"t  gin,  12^  cents; 
X  pint  rum,  18%  cents;  14  irint  domestic 
brandy,  18%  cents. 

The  tirst  fiscal  statement  was  made  by  T. 
K.  Webber  and  showed  county  oiders  un- 
paid, .'i?8.5.2.5;  fees  for  surveying  84  lots  in 
the  town  of  Urbana,  .'g21;  recording  plat, 
!i?3.8r);  fees  of  connnissioners  and  for  station- 
ery, SIT.T.");  making  a  total  indebtedness  of 
§127.36;  deducting  the  revenue,  $71.37.  left 
S5.5.99;  then  deducting  license  of  Alexander, 
S^.o.OO,  left  tlie  indebtedness  of  tiie  county, 
December  2,  18;«,  at  S.50.9i). 

March  3,  18;^,  the  county  was  divided  into 
road  districts  and  \Vm.  Peters,  Daniel  T. 
I'orter,  John  G.  Uobertson,  Mijamin  Byers, 
Phillip  M.  Stanford,  Wm.  Nox,  jr.,  John 
Wliitaker  were  appointed  road  supervisors. 

March  4,  1834,  tlie  first  grand  and  petit 
juries  were  appointcul  as  follows:  (irand 
jury— Thomas  Deer,  Jefferson  lluss,  Wm. 
Nox,  sr.,  Joseph  Thomas,  llenry  Thomas, 
Robert  Trickle,  James  Brownlield,  Walter 
Rhodes,  James  Johnson,  Samuel  G.  Beckley, 
John  W.  Swearingen,  John  B.  Swearingen, 
John  Zanes,  Robert  Prather,  Valentine  Uitf, 
Gabriel  G.  Rice,  Mattiiew  Busey,  John  Tine- 
man,  Sanuiel  Bromley.  Arthur  Beaird,  Har- 
ris Wils(m,  William  Corray  and  James  ()s- 
bourne.  Petit  jury— James  Moss,  Mattlnnv 
W.  liusey,  Elias  Stamey,  David  Gabbert. 
William  T.  Webber,  Augustine  M.  Webber, 
Larkin  Deer,  Stephen  Boyd,  Elijah  Jackson, 
Andrew  Wilson,  Adam  Yeazle,  James  Free- 
man, Jacob  T.  llobljs,  John  Codtlington. 
Jacob  Heater,  ISloses  Kirby,  Elias  Kirby, 
John  Brownlield,  sr.,  William  Coddington, 
Elias  Tliomas,  Moses  Argo,  William  1.  Pe- 
ters and  Hiram  Rankin. 


PIONEKRS  OF  (HAMPATGN  COUNTY. 


108 


At  a  ineotinpof  the  county  commissioners, 
lu'ld  December  1,  is:;4,  it  was  ordered  tliat 
lieieafter  tiie  court  meet  at  tlie  liouse  of 
Isaac  Busey,  Tiio  court  appointed  T.  K. 
Webber,  ai?ent,  in  July  is:;."),  to  sell  the  lots 
in  IJrbana,  at  t'olhnvini?  prices:  Corner 
hits  on  Main  street,  on  public  square  at  >?.S0 
each;  corner  lots  elsewhere,  520;  back  lots, 
.■«10. 

January  ISSO,  a  temporary  court  house 
was  ordered  to  be  built  on  lot  25,  to  be  of 
hewn  lotcs,  good  size.  The  buildini:  was  to 
be  24x20  feet,  one  and  one-half  story,  shingle 
roof,  hewn  joists  and  sleepers,  one  door  and 
two  windows  on  each  side.  The  contract 
was  let  to  John  Craig,  but  the  building  was 
never  linished  to  tlie  satisfaction  of  the  com-  , 
missioners  and  court  continued  to  be  held 
in  private  houses  until  l^?u,  when  a  frame 
com-t  house  22x30  feet,  with  two  rooms,  was 
built  by  Moses  and  Willinms  Ilarvey.  This 
i)uilding  was  replaced  in  1S49  by  a  brick 
building  o()x40  feet,  two  stories,  with  ottices 
below  and  court  and  jury  rooms  above.  In 
l^'>9  this  building  was  torn  down  and  the 
present  court  house  erected  at  a  cost  of 
840,000. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  commission- 
ers, the  tirst  three  already  having  been  men- 
tioned. In  1S?)4,  John  Brownheld,  William 
Nox,  Dnniel  T.  Torter;  ISSG,  Cyrus  Strong, 
Hiram  Johnson  and  Wm.  Xox;  183^,  James 
Clements  was  elected  for  one  year,  Daniel 
T.  Porter  for  two  and  Jefferson  Hiiss  for 
three  years.  After  this  one  was  elected 
each  year  as  follows:  James  Clements, 
1H31),  Daniel  T.  Porter,  1H40,  Jefferson  Ilnss, 
1841,  Janu'S Clements  1S42,  Wni.  Taylor,  1S43, 
John  W.  Swearingen,  1S44,  Archa  Campbell, 
184.-),  B.  F.  Harris,  184«,  William  Nox,  184T, 
James  Clements,  l!-'4^. 

The  probate  Judges  are  as  follows :  Moses 
Thomas  elected  in  ISSJi,  and  served  until 
1887,  when  John  B.  Thomas  was  elected. 
M.  W.  l?usey  was  elected  in  1839,  Joiiii 
Brown lield,  1841,  Daniel  T.  Porter,  1843,  who 
.served  until  1848,  when  Archa  Campbell  was 
elected.  In  1848  the  new  ccmstitution  (  T. 
II.  Webber  being  a  member  of  the  conven- 
tion which  adopted  it)  made  a  change,  or- 
ganizing a  county  court  with  one  judge  and 
associate  judges.  Under  this  law,  in  1849 
John  B.  Thomas  was  elected  county  judge; 
Jes.se  W.  Jaciuith  and  Mattliew  Johnson, 
associates.  18.5:^,  Elisha  Harkness  was 
elected  judge  and  M.  D.  Colleen  and  Wm. 
Stewart,  associates.  In  18.57,  Eilward  Atev 
was  tilected  judge.  Lewis  Jones  and  John 
1".  Tenbrook,  associates.  In  18.59,  Fielding 
li.  Scott  was  elected  in  place  of  Jones. 

In  1800  the  county  adoiited  the  township 
organizaticm  and  witli  it  another  change  was 


made.  J.  ().  Cunningham  was  elected  coun- 
ty judge  and  served  four  years,  bcsing  suc- 
ceeded by  A.  M.  Ayers,  in  18C);5,  who  served 
until  1873;  J.  W.  Sim  in  1873,  J.  W.  Langley, 
1877,  the  i>resent  incumbent. 

Moses  Thomas  was  hrst  county  treasurer 
and  served  imtil  18:^7,  when  (ireen  Atwood 
was  elected.  Jacob  Bradshaw  was  electt'd 
in  18:^.9  and  served  until  184:^  when  Col.  M. 
W.  Busey  was  elected  who  served  until  1851, 
when  Elisha  Harkness  was  elected.  Wm. 
H.  Pearce  was  elected  in  1853,  C.  M.  Sherfy, 
in  18.5.5,  Wm.  Munhall  in  18.57,  P.  M.  Parks 
18.59,  K.  T.  Miller  1801,  re-electetl  in  180:^., 
(t.  W.  Keiniard  in  186.5  and  1867,  and  J.  M. 
Davies  in  1809,  who  was  succeeded  in  1811 
by  John  W.  Hill,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded 
by  Thomas  A.  Lewis,  the  present  incum- 
bent. 

The  Sheriffs  of  the  county  are  as  follows: 
John  Salisbury  in  18;B3,  A.  II.  Stevenson  in 
1834  and  18:^/5,  David  Cox  18:18  to  1844,  Wilson 
Lewis  1844  to  18.50,  Edward  Ater  1850,  F.  M. 
Owens  1854,  Penrose  Stidham  18.50,  N.  M. 
Clark  18.58,  K.  C.  Wright  1800,  Nathan  Towl 
1802,  J.  I).  Johnson  1864,  T.  J.  Scott  1866, 
Peter  Myers,  1808,  H.  C.  Core  1870  to  1874, 
J.  1).  Johnson  1874  to  1878,  J.  E.  Oldham 
1878  to  1882,  J.  C.  Ware  1882  to  1886. 

School  commissioners  are  as  follows: 
John  Mead  18:^8,  Moses  Thomas  1840,  John 
B.  Thomas  184()  and  1848,  Wm.  Peters  18.50, 
Paris  Shepherd  18.52,  J.  W.  Jacpiith  18.54, 
John  B.  Thomas  18.54,  Thomas  K.  Leal  18.57 
to  1873,  S.  L.  Wilson  1873,  Calista  E  Larned 
1877  who  resigned  in  1881  and  (i.  R.  Shaw- 
han,  the  present  incumbent,  was  appointed. 
Clerks  of  the  county  court:  T.R.Web- 
ber from  1833  to  1853,  when  the  offices  of 
county  and  circuit  clerks  were  divided,  T. 
A.  McLaurie  18.53  to  18,57,  S.  J.  Toy  18.57  to 
180.5,  N.  M.  Clark  1865  to  1809,  J.  W.  Shuck 
18()9to  1873,  J.  S.  McCul lough  1873  the  pres- 
ent incumbent. 

Circuit  clerks  are  as  follows:  T.  R.  Web- 
ber 18:«  to  Ism,  W.  H.  Somers  18.50  to  ]8(M, 
().  O.  Alexander  1804  to  1878,  E.  T.  Whit- 
comb  1868  to  1870,  J.  W.  Porter  1870,  the 
present  incumbent. 

The  revenue  increased  in  18:^(5,  to  .S2.58.8.5, 
December  3,  1S:)0,  Jonathan  Osborne  and 
Isaac  Busey  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
locate  a  state  road  from  Urbana  to  Hloom- 
iuL'ton,  to  run  by  the  house  of  John  Bryan. 
Josei)h  Stayton  and  Elias  Thomas,  on  sann- 
date,  were  appointed  to  locate  a  road  from 
Urbana  to  Paris.  At  the  December  term, 
18:^(),  a  license  was  granted  Wm.  Osborn  to 
keep  a  ferry  on  the  Sangamon  river  at  a 
point  where  the  state  road  crosses  it,  lead- 
ing from  Moses  Thomas'  to  Bloomington— 
Osborn  to  pay  $2.00  license.    The  following 


109 


PIONKERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


ferry  rates  were  established  at  tlie  same 
vneeting,  viz:  Ferrying  one  man,  dh  cents; 
one  horse,  dM  cents ;  one-liorse  wagon,  25 
cents;  two-horse  wagon,  :^7K  cattle  per 
head,  014  cents;  sheep  and  hogs  per  head, 
3  cents. 

At  the  March  meeting  is.i~,  it  was  ordered 
tiiat  the  otlice  of  assessor  and  treasurer  be 
let  to  the  lowest  bidder;  and  Tliomas  L. 
Freeman  having  bid  the  sum  of  5^12.50  was 
appointed  to  thatoflice  and  qualitied  as  such. 

In  IS^T  the  liabilities  of  the  county  were 
$2l(j:My.\  and  the  revenue  being  §258.85, 
the  county  had  money  in  the  treasury  for 
the  first  time,  amounting  to  $ii2M}>i,  to 
which  add  5i4:>L5u,  notes  on  sale  of  town 
lots  in  Urbana,  and  cash  donations,  unpaid, 
j>45,  made  the  cash  and  resources  of  the 
county  .1?4T(i.50. 

March  18:^7,  it  was  ordered  that  the  follow- 
ing property  be  taxed  one-half  per  cent., 
viz:  Horses,  mares,  nudes,  asses  and  neat 
cattle  over  the  age  of  three  years,  clocks 
and  watches  with  their  appendages,  antl 
pleasure  carriages. 

In  1837  license  to  retail  goods  were  grant- 
ed and  licenses  charged  as  follows:  A. 
Bruer,  *5.00;  James  T.  Koe,  .IJS.OO;  T.  K. 
Webber,  «15.00;  James  H.  Lyons,  S25; 
Daniel  T.  Porter,  S5.00;  Noah  Bixler,  .$5.00. 

June,  1837,  ordered  that  Matthew  W,  Busey 
have  a  writ  of  ad  quod  tlamnum,  for  con- 
demnnig  a  mill  seat  on  north  end  of  Ey, 
S  W}4  Sec.  8,  10,  9.  Same  year  Green  At- 
wood  was  allowed  a  license  to  keep  a  tavern 
at  Homer.  Also  a  license  was  granted  to 
Isaac  A.  Brown  to  keep  a  tavern  at  Sidney, 
each  to  pay  a  license  of  $4.00. 

September,  18:^7,  a  writ  of  ad  quod  dannuim 
was  granted  to  Charles  Haptonstall  to  build 
a  mill.  A  like  writ  was  granted  at  same 
meeting  to  A.  H.  Jose  for  a  mill  seat  on 
Sangamon  river,  on  lot  15,  Sec.  IG,  T  30  R  7. 
At  same  meeting  it  was  ordered  thata  bridge 
be  constructed  over  the  Salt  Fork  at  Cyrus 
Strong's  ferry  anil  that  Major  Nox  attend 
to  advertising  tor  bids  and  to  insert  an  ad- 
vertisement in  the  Danville  Kiuiuirei-.  The 
building  of  this  bridge  was  let  October,  1837. 
to  \Vm.  I.  I'eters,  for  the  sinu  of  $42()  and 
he  to  have  one  year  to  build  it. 

The  first  county  prison,  to  be  completed  by 
March,  18:'.'.),  was  arranged  for  January  is;>i; 
it  was  to  1m!  is  led  s(iuare,  Tlie  lower  story 
to  have  two  windows,  one  foot  .square  each. 
Building  was  to  have  a  brick  aiul  log  foun- 
dation and  to  be  built  of  logs,  and  to  be  two 
stories.  It  was  struck  ott  to  C(tl.  M.  \V.  Bu- 
sey at  the  sum  of  $8.50. 

March  19,  18:W,  it  was  ordered  that  an 
election  precinct  be  established  on  the  Mid- 
dlefork  and   that  election-^  be  held  at  house 


of  John  Maiming,  near  the  town  of  Brother- 
ton  in  said  precini/t. 

June  18;i8,  a  license  was  granted  Groen- 
eiidyke  &  Cotfeen  to  retail  goods  at  Homer, 
ami  that  they  pay  for  same,  S15.  At  the 
same  meeting  a  county  road  was  ordered 
from  south  end  of  Market  street,  in  Urbana, 
to  Sidney.  December  18;i8  A.  Bruer  was 
granted  a  license  to  keep  a  tavern  in  Ur- 
l)ana  and  that  he  pay  $2.00  for  same. 

At  the  December  term,  18:59,  it  was  order- 
ed the  cleik  convey  to  the  officers  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  a  lot  to  be  se- 
lected by  them,  if  they  shall  have  erected  a 
house  of  worship  thereon  in  twelve  months. 
And  we  also  make  to  the  Baptist  society  the 
same  offer  in  all  respects.  The  Methodist 
people  raised  the  money  and  built  a  church 
which  was  afterwards  known  as  Benner's 
livery  stable.  The  Baptist  people,  however, 
did  not  comply  at  that  time. 

Col.  M,  VV.  Busey  having  donated  a  three 
acre  tract  to  the  county,  permission  was 
given  to  erect  a  school  liouse  on  same.  De- 
cember 18:^9,  Col.  Busey,  Jacob  Bradshaw 
and  Elias  Staniey  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  select  a  suilahle  s]n)t  for  said 
house. 

June  term,  1840,  it  was  "ordered  that  we 
sell  to  Rev.  A.  Bradshaw-,  lot  51  (where 
Hubbard's  hardware  store  now  stands)  for 
the  sum  of  $3,  the  same  to  be  deeded 
to  the  Methodist  society  when  it  shall  be 
shown  that  the  society  has  a  legal  riglit  to 
receive  a  deed.  Also  tliaiwe  sell  to  David 
Cox,  for  Baptist  church  with  same  restrict- 
tion,  lot  76,  east  of  Kerr's  tavern,  for  $2.00." 

The  salary  of  T.  R.  Webber,  as  clerk,  .was 
not  very  heavy;  he  was  allowed  ?77.98  in 
full  for  his  services  as  clerk  for  year  ending 
June  7,  1841. 

At  the  June  term,  1842,  M.  D.  Cotfeen  rep- 
resented that  it  was  too  far  for  the  people  of 
Homer  to  go  to  the  house  of  James  Cope- 
land,  in  the  Salt  Folk  iirecinct,  to  vote;  he 
therefore  presented  a  iietition  that  the  name 
of  the  })recinct  be  changed  to  Homer  pre- 
cinct and  the  voting  he  done  at  the  school 
house  in  Homer,  which  was  ordered  done. 

October  2,  184:^,  the  contract  for  l)iulding  a 
bridge  across  the  Sangamon  at  Mahomet, 
was  awarded  Williams  Harvey  of  Urbana. 

June,  1844,  on  petition  of  citizens,  an 
election  precinct  known  as  the  Middlefork 
precinct,  was  ordered,  and  that  the  voting 
place  be  at  house  of  Saiiuicl  Swinford,  and 
Samuel  Swinford,  Saniucl  Kerr  and  James 
Kellor  were  appointed  judges.  At  same 
meeting,  Janu'S  Orr,  sr.,  Henry  Swearingen 
and  Elias  Thomas  were  appointed  jinlges  of 
Homer,  Marshall  Cloyd,  John  Crabb  and 
.buues    Myers,  of    Urbana.    and    Jonathan 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


110 


Maxwell,  Benjainiu  F.  Harris  and  Joseph 
T.  Everett  of  Hanganion  precincts. 

Tlie  tax  books  for  the  year  1844  show  that 
tiie  taxable  property  is  increasing,  the 
amotnn  returned  being  S3:^,873.  The  levy 
was  as  follows:  'iO  cents  on  the  :«;100  for 
state  purposes,  making  «rifi8.75;  20  cents  for 
county,  Sf50S.75,  and  10  cents  for  road  mak- 
ing S!m37. 

William  1).  S(miers  seems  to  have  been 
tlie  county  physician  in  1S44.  At  the  De- 
cember meeting  of  the  county  court  it  was 
"ordered  that  l')r.  William  D.  Somers  have 
an  order  on  the  treasury  for  the  sum  of  $2M) 
in  fnll  for  medical  charge  for  attending 
Jiobert  H.  Newlon. 

At  the  June  meeting,  1S45,  William  1). 
Soiners  was  appointed  to  take  the  census  of 
the  county. 

C-ol.  M.  W.  Busey,  county  treasurer,  made 
his  report  July  184<).  He  reports  a  balance 
on  hand  of  .S561.37  as  foll(»ws:  i^S.S'J.OO  in 
paper  money;  $15.5.52  in  gold  and  .S7:i.s.5  in 
silver.  The  county  seems  to  have  been  in 
good  condition  as  Col.  Busey  was  (nderedto 
loan  the  county  funds  at  0  per  cent,  interest, 
reserving  a  sufficient  sum  to  pay  outstand- 
ing orders,  and  tliat  he  take  ample  security 
in  all  cases  and  that  he  collect  the  interest 
in  advance,  that  the  notes  be  so  drawn  that 
a<lditional  security  may  be  required  if  it  is 
deemed  necessaiy  by  tlie  treasurer  or  com- 
missioners. 

At  the  July  term,  Isis,  Col.  M.  W.  Bu- 
sey was  appointed  a  messenger  to  carry  the 
vote  of  tiiis  county,  for  senator,  to  Danville, 
for  the  purpose  of  being  canvassed,  and 
Williams  Harvey  was  appointed  a  like  mes- 
senger tf»  Decatur,  to  carry  the  vote  tor  rep- 
resentative. 

May  2,  1H49,  the  new  court  house  having 
been  completed,  the  old  one  was  sold  to  the 
LIrbana  sdiool  district  for  8105  on  a  credit 
of  12  months.  At  the  J  une  meeting  a  bridge 
was  ordered  to  be  constructed  at  Homer, 
provided  the  cost  did  not  exceed  S400.  June 
20  the  contract  was  struck  off  to  M.  D.  Cof- 
feen,  James  S.  Wright,  Harmon  Stevens, 
John  B.  Tliomas,  Solomon  Dill,  Samuel  A. 
Harvey  and  W.  S.  Coe  for  «fi00;  S400  to  be 
pai<l  by  the  county  and  the  balance  by  jnn- 
vate  donations,— the  bridge  to  be  completed 
by  the  following  December. 

October,  1849,  it  was  ordered  that  Clapp  & 
Itus.sell  have  leave  to  renew  their  license  to 
retail  goods  on  sanu'  terms  as  before.  March 
term  18.50,  Henry  M.  Uu.ssell  having  bought 
out  A.  O.  Clapp  was  granted  license  for  one 
year  by  paying  .'?':J5. 

The  county  court  cut  and  carved  the  bills, 
in  the  olden  time,  very  nuich  as  is  done  in 
later  «iays.      March,  is.50,  lienjaniin  C.  Mor- 


ris presented  a  bill  of  $23.25  for  services, 
board,  medical  attendance  and  funeral  ex- 
penses of  Daniel  Wheat,  a  poor  person. 
The  court,  after  examining  into  the  matter, 
decided  tliat  said  Morris  is  justly  entitled  to 
pay  for  the  coffin  and  shnmd  and  therefore 
allowed  liim  S7.25  and  rejected  the  balance 
of  his  claim. 

At  the  March  term,  1851,  it  was  decided  to 
enclose  the  public  square  witii  a  fence 
which  contract  was  let  to  Wm.  Park  and 
John  Cantner  for  $80.  At  the  July  tern), 
1851,  on  i)etition  of  Samuel  Dean  and  Da- 
vid Cantner,  permission  was  granted  them 
to  establish  a  ferry  on  the  Sangamon  river 
at  the  crossing  of  the  state  road  leading 
from  Urbana  to  Bloomington.  The  follow- 
ing rates  were  fixed  as  ferry  charges :  For 
man  and  horse,  10  cents;  footman,  5  cents; 
wagon  and  one  horse,  15  cents ;  wagon  and 
two  horses  or  oxen,  20  cents ;  each  addition- 
al horse  or  ox,  5  cents;  each  head  of  cattle, 
4  cents ;  each  hog  or  sheep,  2  cents. 

At  the  October  term,  1851,  J.  W.  Jaquith, 
John  Gere,  Calvin  Higgins,  president  and 
trustees  of  the  town  of  Urbana,  and  William 
D.  Somers,  clerk,  presented  to  the  court  a 
poll  book  of  an  election,  whereby  it  appears 
that  at  an  election  held  in  the  town  of  Ur- 
bana, September  8, 1851,  for  the  purpose  of 
voting  for  or  against  the  incorporation  of 
said  town  the  following  votes  were  cast  in 
favor  of  same,  viz:  W.  D.  Somers,  Geo.  O. 
J'otter,  Wilson  Lewis,  W.  S.  Garman,  Jo- 
seph M.  Harry,  Elisha  Harkness,  Wm.  Park, 
John  Cantner,  Calvin  C.  Higgins,  Wm.  Abel, 
Robert  Logan,  Wm.  Waters,  Lewis  Higgins, 
John  Black,  Edward  Ater,  Asa  Gere,  Wm. 
Gill.  Samuel  M.  Logan,  Thomas  J.  Newport, 
Silas  Chadwick,  John  C.  Hankins.  David  M. 
Ireland,  .J.  W.  Jaquith,  Samuel  Waters, 
George  W.  Toy,  25  Against,  Thomson  K. 
Webber.  At  the  election  Joseph  M.  Harry 
was  the  judge,  and  John  Ireland,  clerk. 

The  foregoing  is  a  synopsis  of  the  busi- 
ness transa(!ted  in  the  county  from  18:i3  to 
and  including  February  term,  18.52.  While 
some  of  the  business  might  seem  insignifi- 
cant, yet  it  was  entered  of  record  by  the 
clerk,  T.  R.  Webber,  in  detail,  and  there 
was  no  mistaking  the  meaning  of  the  per- 
sons doing  the  business  for  the  people. 


SCHOOLS. 

We  have  the  record  of  two  school  houses 
in  the  county  in  1832.  One  was  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Big  Grove  and  was  taught  by 
(Maude  Thompkins.  The  other  was  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  old  Brumley  place,  near  Ur- 
bana, the  latter  being  the  first  school  house, 
as  far  as  we  can  learn,  erected  in  the  county. 


111 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


catc'hiiis  Trickle,  tlirew  opon  the  door  and 
every  one  piled  out  smoke  and  all. 


FIRST  SCHOOL  HOUSi;. 

It  is  a  substantial  structure.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  the  windows  are  small,  and  in- 
stead of  window  glass,  greased  paper  was 
used.  The  light  thus  admitted  might  have 
answered  all  purposes  on  a  bright  day  but 
no  one  suftered  from  its  being  too  bright.  The 
seats  of  this  school  house  were  hewn  slabs 
and  not  hewn  so  very  smooth  either.  As  far 
as  we  can  learn,  the  first  teacher  in  the  Big 
Grove  was  a  lady  who  boarded  at  the  house 
of  Martin  Ileinhart.  In  1S32,  Asahel  Bruer 
taught  school  in  the  school  house  above  de- 
scribed, in  fact  he  taught  eighteen  months. 
Tlie  first  Christmas  he  treated  the  scholars, 
according  to  the  custom,  to  one  gallon  of 
wliiskey  and  a  bushel  of  apples,  and  every- 
thing passed  ott'  harmoniously.  When  the 
next  Christmas  came  around,  on  arriving  at 
the  school  house  he  found  the  door  barred, 
and  in  answer  to  his  request  for  admittance 
a  note  was  handed  him  through  the  craclc 
between  the  logs  aslving  that  he  treat  to  a 
bushel  of  apples  and  one  gallon  of  wliiskey 
and  that  he  give  the  scholars  a  vacation  for 
one  week.  He  answered  that  he  would  not, 
and  soon  mounted  the  house.  The  clap- 
boards being  iield  on  the  roof  of  tiie  house 
by  weight  poles,  he  had  no  difliculty  in  tak- 
ing out  enough  to  cover  the  top  of  the  chim- 
ney. As  there  was  a  laige  tin;  made  from 
green  wood,  in  the  fire  place  below,  the 
room  was  soon  filled  with  smoke.  James 
Kirby,  one  of  the  older  scholars,  took  the 
poker,  a  piece  of  a  pole,  and  by  throwing  it 
up  the  chimney  knocked  the  boards  off. 
They  were  soon  replaced  by  Mr.  liruer  and 
on  a  second  attempt  to  knock  them  olf  Mr. 
Bruer  caught  the  pol<er  and  threw  it  on  the 
oidside  and  re-covered  the  chiumey.  The 
house  was  then  soon  filled  with  smoke, 
almo.st  to  sutTocation.  The  smaller  children 
began  to  cry  and  every  one  seemed  to  wish 
there  was  an  end  to  the  matter.  About  tiiis 
time  William  Trickle  crawled  into  the  gar- 
rett,  pulled  aside  the  boards  and  jumped 
out  and  down  to  the  ground  with  Mr.  Bruer 
after    him.      The  boys   seeing    Mr.    Hiiici- 


ASAIIEL    I5KUEK    SMOKIN(i    OIT   THE     BOYS 

The  boys  soon  caught  Mr.  Bruer  and  be- 
gan rolling  him  in  the  snow,  and  he  said, 
pulling  his  hair.  He  protested  that  they 
had  no  right  to  do  this,  when  the  boys  sub- 
mitted the  matter  to  Stephen  Boyd  and  Mr. 
Bromley  who  decided  that  they  had  a  right 
to  bar  him  out  of  the  scliool  house  but  not 
to  pull  his  luiir  or  roll  him  in  the  snow.  As 
soon  as  Mr.  Bruer  was  released  he  made  a 
run  for  the  school  house,  closely  followed 
by  James  Kirby  and  tlie  balance,  but  the  old 
gentleman    was    first    in    the  school  house, 

where  he  was  master  of  the  situation  for 
a  short  time,  when  the  boys  surrounded 
him  and  he  surrendered  saying,  'T  just 
wanted  to  see  if  vou  had  any  Kentucky 
blood  in  you."  lie  then  told  the  boys 
where  to  lind  a  gallon  of  whiskey,  ami 
a  bushel  of  ai)()Ies,  hid  a  short  distanc(> 
from  the  school  house,  which  wei'e  soon  ]iro- 
duced  and  the  afternoon  spent  in  roasting 
a))ples  and  drinking  apple  toddy.  James 
Kirb\'  William  and  Ashford  Trickle,  James 
W.  lioyd,  Moses  Deer,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann 
Moore, "of  Danville,  Fount  Busey.  Sol  Nox, 
.lames  Boland,  Susan  Trickle,  now  Mr.  Kir- 
by's  wife,  were  present  and  will  long  re- 
member the  circumstance  aliove  narrated. 
It  is  esi)ecially  vivid  in  the  mind  of  James 
Kirby,  oue  of  "the  early  s«'ttlers  who  gave  us 
these  facts.  Mr.  Kirby,  in  speaking  of  the 
early  weddings  saiil,  that  uosi)ecial  invita- 
tif)ns  were  issued  to  attend,  but  every  one 
attended  who  felt  so  inclined.  Wliiskey 
was  as  free  as  water.  At  oue  wedding  he 
attended  (the  parties  now  living  across  the 
grove)  nine  gallons  of  wliiskey  were  used 
and  not  a  man  was  drunk.  The  drinks  they 
usetl  those  days  were  mint  slinu's,  black 
strop,  tansy  intters  and  egg-nog. 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


112 


Urbana  and  Somer  Townships. 


Read  at  Old  Settlers'  Reunion,  July  20, 1886. 
BY  J.  O.  CUNNINGHAM. 

The  local  history  of  these  two  townships, 
and  infa?t  the  early  history  of  the  county 
during  the  period  to  which  I  shall  refer, 
wliich  will  be  anterior  to  the  period  of  histo- 
ry of  others  given  here  today,  are  practical- 
ly one,  for  around  the  Big  Grove,  and  upon 
territory  embraced  in  botli  townships,  were 
made  the  first  settlements  of  the  county. 

INDIAN  OCCUPATION. 

Our  earliest  historic  accounts  accord  the 
territory  in  this  part  of  Illinois  to  the  own- 
ership of  the  Kickapoo  Indians,  as  Indian 
titles  were  tlien  regarded.    In  the  year  1819, 
at  Edwardsville,  Illinois,  at  a  treaty  between 
the  Kickapoo  nation  and  the  United  States 
government,    represented    by   Ninian    Ed- 
wards,   a   treaty  was   concluded   by  which 
that  people  relinriuished  their  rights  here, 
and  then    passed  west  of   the   Mississippi. 
The  Indian  occupation  spoken  of  here  to- 
day, was  subsequent  to  this  date,  and  by 
bands  of   the  Piittawotamies  who  hunted, 
and  at  times  abode  here.  Tradition,  support- 
ed by  the  testimony  of  many  old  settlers, 
some  of  whom  are  here  to-day,  says  that  the 
site  of   Urbana  and   along  the    Bone  Yard 
Branch  was  tlie  site  of  an  Indian  village  of 
the  Pottawotamies.     The  presence  there  of 
good  water,  fuel  and  an  abundance  of  game, 
made  it  a   favorite  cami)ing  ground  with 
them.    They  also  frequently  camped  at  the 
Clements  or  Clay  Bank  ford,  further  down 
the  creek.    They  buried  their  dead  at  Ad- 
kins'  Point,  near  where  John  Thornburn 
now  lives. 

FIRST  WHITE  OCCUPANCY. 

So  far  as  I  am  informed  the  first  white 
men  to  see  tliis  country,  were  the  United 
States  surveyors  who  divided  the  country 
into  townships  and  sections.  These  town- 
shii^s  were  surveyed  in  the  summer  of  1821 
by  Benjamin  Franklin  Messenger,  under 
the  autliority  of  the  Federal  government. 
Tliere  doubtless  were  hunters,  trappers  and 
traders,  and  perhaps  squatters  here  before 
that  date,  but  tliey  left  no  name.  The  earli- 
est scpiatters  known  to  us,  were  Runnel 
Fieldej-,  wlio  is  said  to  have  been  the  first 
white  inhabitant  of  the  county,  who  settled 
in  1822,  near  the  nortli  east  corner  of  Sec. 
11,  Urbana,  and  built  a  cabin  there,  which  I 
have  often  seen.  Fielder  entered  no  land 
until  June  21,  1828,  when  he  entered  tlie  WK 
NW  Sec.  12,  a  part  of  the  Roe  farm  now 
owned  by  Bate  Smith,  on  which  he  planted 
an  orchard,  the  first  in  either  town  ji  not 
the  first  in  the  county.  Some  ot  theVrees 
32 


may  be   seen  yet.    Then   there  were  Jolni 
Light  who  had  a  cabin  where  Tom  Brown- 
field  now  lives;  Gabriel  Rice,  who  had  his 
cabin  on  Sol  Nox's  place ;  Phillip  Stanford, 
who  lived  near  where  William  Roberts  now 
lives  and  afterwards  entered  part  of  tliat 
farm,  and   David  Gabbert,   wlio  built  liis 
cabin  just  north  of  this  park.    This  cabin 
was  the  first  home  of  the  family  of  Col.  M. 
W.  Busey,  who  came  here  in  183(3.    The  Col- 
onel had  been  here  before,  for  he  entered 
the  80  where  we  now  are,  in  1830.    Besides 
these,  there  were  Daggett,  who  settled  on 
the  west  side  of  tlie  grove,  and  Wm.  Tomp- 
kins who  built  his  cabin  on  the  creek,  near 
where  Ilalberstadt's  mill  is,  afterwards,  in 
1828,    entering    the    land  which    he  sold  to 
Isaac  Busey  in   1830.    Tompkins  had  a  son 
living  in  a  cabin  near  the  Harvey  cemetery, 
who  was  also  a  squatter  for  he  never  owned 
any  land.    In  his  cabin,  it  is  said,  was  born 
the  first  white  child  in  the  county.    Soon 
after  182S,  permanent  settlers  began  to  come 
in.    Thomas  Holland,  in  1828,   Matthew  Bu- 
sey, in  1829,   Isham  Cook,   in  1830,  and  soon 
thereafter,  and  in  some  cases  before,  came 
James  T.  Roe,  John  Brownfield,  T.  R.  Web- 
ber,   W.  T.  Webber,   Jacob   Smith,    Jacob 
Heater,  John  G.  Robertson,  Isaac  G.  Beck- 
ley,  Sample  Cole  and  James  Clements.    Be- 
fore   many  of   these,  perhaps,  was  Phillip 
M.  Stanford,     Sarah  Coe,     the    Trickles, 
Robert  and  William,  Elias  Kirby,  Mijamin 
Byers,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  justice  of 
the  peace  for  this  part  of  Vermilion.    They 
all  settled  about  the  Big  Grove  in  these  two 
townshijis  and  soon  began  to  enter  the  lands. 
These  names  I  love  to  recall  as  being  the 
names  of  those  who  laid  the  foundation  of 
our  present  greatness. 

FIIIST  LAND   ENTRIES. 

The  first  entry  in  Urbana  was  made  by 
Fielder,  as  above  stated,  in  1828,  and  tlie 
firiOn  Somer  was  made  by  Sarah  Coe,  who, 
in  1829,  entered  the  W^  SE^^  Sec.  27,  now 
in  William  Roberts"  farm.  During  the  three 
years  following,  entries  of  lands  now  lying 
in  both  townships,  were  made  by  Mijamin 
Byers,  Isaac  Busey,  John  Whitaker,  Will- 
iam Tompkins,  Philip  Stanford,  Charles 
Busey,  Martin  Rhiiieheart,  Walter  Rhodes, 
John  Light,  John  Brownfield,  Robert 
Trickle  and  others. 

DISEASES. 

Like  all  new  countries,  blessed  with  a 
soil  hohiing  the  elements  of  wealth,  this 
country,  when  first  settled,  and  until  by  cul- 
tivation and  artificial  drainage  facilities 
were  afforded  for  the  surface  water  to  pass 
rapidly  away,  was  the  liome  and  nursery  of 
malarious  diseases.  They  appeared  in  the 
form  of   ague,   chill  fever,    tlux,  and  other 


113 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


bowel  complaints  aiul  were  a  great  hin- 
drance to  tlie  rapid  settlement  of  tlie  conn- 
try.  Tliese  diseases  were  universal  and  tiie 
latter  part  of  every  summer  and  every  fall 
people  looked  for  a  visitation  from  these 
diseases  as  much  as  they  looked  for  tin* 
ripeiung  of  their  crops.  It  was  understootl 
that  unless  the  work  of  the  season  was  com- 
pleted before  the  sickly  season  came  on,  it 
had  to  go  over,  for  during  that  period  all 
would  be  sick,  or  if  some  were  spared,  their 
time  wfinld  be  monopolized  in  the  care  of 
their  sick.  Many  times  there  were  not  well 
persons  enough  in  a  family  or  neighborhood 
to  care  for  the  sick.  Physicians  were  few 
oV  entirely  wanting.  Dr.  Fithian,  the  veter- 
an physician  of  Danville,  was  often  called 
to  til  is  county,  while  Dr.  Stevens  of  Homer, 
and  Dr.  Somers  of  Urbana,  who  were  early 
on  the  ground,  had  a  wide  range  of  practice 
in  these  diseases.  The  effect  of  these  annu- 
al recurrences  of  miasmatic  diseases  upon 
the  individual  was  to  weaken  and  sap  the 
constitution  of  the  strongest.  The  death 
roll  of  the  first  thirty  yeai's  of  our  history, 
if  it  could  be  called,  would  startle  iis  even 
at  this  distance  of  time.  Strong  men  and 
women  gradually  weakened  and  finally  fell 
before  the  unseen  foe,  while  little  children, 
ague  ridden  from  their  birth,  endured  a 
dwarfish  growth  for  a  few  years,  and  went 
shaking  to  their  graves.  While  this  is  true 
of  many,  we  yet  have  monuments  of  the 
olden  time  in  many  whitened  heads  all 
around  us,  which  have  reached  or  long  since 
passed  the  allotted  three  score  years  and 
ten,  and  still  linger  as  good  specimens  of 
well  preserved  manhood  and  womanhood, 
eiinal  in  healthful  appearance  to  any  found 
in  our  more  favored  localities— men  and 
women  who  have  here  spent  their  thirty, 
forty,  fifty,  or  even  near  sixty  years.  We 
may  now  congratulate  ourselves  that,  drain- 
age accomplished,  we  can  compare  with  any 
country  for  healthfiilness. 

EAKI.Y    DEATHS. 

So  far  as  I  can  ascertain  the  first  death 
among  the  white  inhabitants  of  the  county, 
was  Isham  Cook.  In  1830  he  entered  land 
in  section  5,  north  of  l^rbana.  In  the  fall  of 
that  year  he  died  and  was  buried  there. 
The  farm  is  known  as  the  Dean  farm.  In 
1S31,  a  woman  named  Pugh,  a  member  of  a 
family  traveling  through,  died  at  llhine- 
lieart's,  and  was  the  first  death  in  Somer 
townshi)).  The  wife  of  Isaac  Busey  <lied  in 
ISM,  and  was  the  first  to  Ijc  buried  in  the 
old  cemetery  in  Urbana.  In  1833,  several 
members  of  the  Moss  family  and  others 
died  of  cholera,  north  of  the  grove.  The 
deaths  were  startling  and  spread  consterna- 
tion   among    the    people.    T    mention    also 


others  who  died  within  a  few  years  after 
coming  here,  as  follows:  James  Browntield, 
brother  of  John,  and  fatlier  of  Robert. 
Thomas  Holland,  father  of  Mrs.  Wm.  I. 
Moore  of  Danville.  Isaiah  Corray,  father 
of  Elisha.  John  Truman,  the  ancestor  of 
those  remaining  of  that  name.  William 
Boyd,  the  grandfather  of  James  Boyd. 
Isaac  Busey,  and  his  son  John,  and  grand 
sou  Isaac.  David  Shephard,  father  of  Par- 
ris.  William  T.  Webber,  father  of  T.  R. 
and  W.  II.  Webber.  James  Brownfield, 
grandfather  of  William  and  Thomas.  Jesse 
Tompkins,  who  was  a  squatter  on  the  gov- 
ernment lands.  Samuel  Brumlcy.  father  of 
Mrs.  T.  L.  Truman.  Jacob  Bradshaw,  Ste- 
phen Gulick,  Charles  Busey,  and  the  list 
might  be  much  extendeiV^ut  space  forbids. 
Two  of  the  earlier  deaths  were  of  men  who 
were  veterans  of  the  revolutionary  war. 
One  was  Robert  Brownfield,  above  noted, 
who  died  in  1S41.  The  other  was  William 
Hays  who  died  since  that  date.  Both  are 
buried  in  Somer,  and  in  innuarked  graves. 
It  would  redound  to  the  credit  of  the  people 
to  erect  lasting  monuments  to  mark  the  last 
resting  places  of  these  patriots,  and  to  keep 
these  spots  in  remembrance  upon  each  re- 
curring decoration  day. 

SCHOOLS. 

John  Light,  the  squatter,  probably  taught 
the  first  scliool  within  the  territory  of  these 
townships,  in  a  cabin  near  where  Frank 
Apperson  now  lives.  James  Boyd,  who  is 
with  us  to-day,  was  a  puiiil  of  Light's  and 
believes  this  to  have  been  the  first.  It  was 
taught  in  the  winter  of  1832-8.  Charles 
Fiekler  and  Jolm  B.  Thomas,  afterwards  a 
lawyer  and  judge  of  the  county  court,  also 
taught  school  in  the  settlement  in  the  north 
jiart  of  the  grove.  Asahel  Bruer,  a  veteran 
of  the  war  of  1812,  who  died  live  years  since, 
also  taught  early  in  the  thirties,  in  the  grove. 

MILLS. 

The  first  mill  for  grinding  corn  was 
brought  by  Robert  Trickle  from  Butler's 
Point,  in  1826.  It  consisted  of  a  hollow  log 
or  "gum"  in  which  were  inserted  the  upper 
and  the  nether  mill  stimes.  These  stones 
were  worked  out  from  rough  boulders  and 
with  the  appliances  for  making  the  upper 
stone  revolve  served  a  very  good  purpose. 
Fielder  in  1828  and  .John  Brownfield  in  18:^), 
built  horse  mills  which  were  improvements 
on  the  hand  mill.  Brownfield's  mill  was 
quite  pretentious  and  was  built  iiy  James 
Holmes,  a  preacher  of  the  M.  E.  church. 
The  frame  of  the  building  used  still  stands. 
The  stones  were  subse(]uently  removed  to  a 
water  mill  built  on  the  creek  in  1842  by  Mr. 
Brownfield,  which  superseded  the  horse 
mill.    These  stones  are  still  preserved  by 


PIUNEEliS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


114 


Tom  Brownfield  as  mementoes  of  other 
days.  John  Haptenstall  built  a  saw  mill  on 
the  creek  below  town  about  1S40,  and  Jacob 
Mootz  in  1842  built  another  on  a  site  here  in 
the  park  for  Col.  Busey.  These  mills  were 
not  attended  with  success  and  were  super- 
seded by  the  first  steam  saw  and  ^rist  mill 
built  in  the  county  erected  in  Urbana  in  1850 
by  William  Park. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The  first  piiysician  who  located  here  was 
Dr.  Fulkersou,  who  came  in  1880  and  board- 
ed with  Mrs.  Coe,  a  widow  lady  who  had 
improved  land  in  Sec.  37  Somer.  He  did 
not  remain  long  but  moved  on.  Dr.  Lyons 
stopped  at  John  Shepherd's  in  Urbana  towu- 
ship  for  a  time,  before  locating  permanently 
at  Sidney.  He  subsequently  represented 
the  county  in  the  legislature.  Dr.  John 
Saddler  located  in  Urbana  in  1839,  leaving 
not  long  after  and  was  followed  by  Drs. 
Winston  and  W.  D.  Somers  in  1840  and  43. 
The  former  honored  his  profession  until 
his  death,  in  1871,  the  latter  soon  entered 
the  law  i>ractiee  as  the  first  lawyer  of  the 
county. 

KELIGIOUS. 

One  Mahurin,  a  Baptist,  was  the  first 
minister  to  proclaim  the  gospel  liere.  He 
became  chaplain  of  a  regiment  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war  and  never  returned.  John  Dun- 
ham, of  the  United  Brethren  churcli,  early 
became  noted  as  a  religious  leader  all 
through  this  part.  Alexander  Holbrook, 
who  lived  where  Capt  Howell  now  lives, 
was  a  Methodist  exhorter  and  often  made 
the  wfjods  ring  with  his  wild  eloquence. 
William  Phillips,  known  to  the  settlers  as 
"Bub  Phillips,"  and  Rev.  J.  Holmes,  who  was 
a  transient  mill  wright,  were  local  preachers 
of  the  same  persuasion  and  materially  aided 
the  moral  work.  Father  John  G.  Robertson, 
who  in  1830  entered  land  in  Sec.  10,  Urbana, 
and  who,  as  a  Bai)tist  layman,  was  ever  a 
zealous  christian  worker,  is  said  to  have  held 
the  first  religious  meetings  in  the  then 
village  of  Urbana.  He  died  at  Mahomet  a 
few  years  ago.  The  first  Methodist  class 
and  the  germ  of  the  present  society  in  Ur- 
bana, was  organized  in  18:36,  at  tlie  house  of 
Walter  Rhodes,  the  first  leader.  The  Bap- 
tist church  of  Urbana  was  organized  in  1841, 
at  the  Brumley  school  house,  two  miles  east. 
The  Roes,  Brnmleys,  Trumans,  Cooks,  Coxes 
and  Nancy  Webber  were  among  the  con- 
stituent members.  The  officiating  clergyman 
was  Rev.  Newell. 

COUNTY    SKAT. 

On  P'ebruary  20th,  183.3,  John  Reynolds, 
governor  of  Illinois,  signed  the  act  of  the 
legislature  creating  the  county  of  Champaign 
from  the  lands  attached  to  Vermilion.    The 


act  appointed  JohnF.  Richardson,  of  Clark 
county,  James  P.  Jones,  of  Coles  county, 
and  Stephen  B.  Shelledy,  of  Edgar  county, 
connnissioners  to  locate  Urbana,  which  it 
was  declared  should  be  the  county   seat. 
These  men  met,  as  required  by  law,  at  the 
house  of  Phillip  M.  Stanford  and  found  va- 
rious points  contesting  for  the   honor  of   be- 
ing the  capital  of  the  new  county.    Stanford 
wanted  it  at  his  house,  north  of  the  grove, 
where  the  principal  part  of  the  population 
of  the  settlement  was  then  located,  in  which 
his  neighbors  all  joined  him.    At  that  time 
the  only  post  office  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
ty, known  as  VanBuren,    was   kept  on  the 
adjoining   farm   of    Mathias     Rhineheart. 
Isaac  Busey  and  William  T.  Webber,  own- 
ers respectively  of  the  wK  nw^i  and  e}4 
neji  of  section  17,  in  Urbana,   and  Col.  M. 
W.Busi^y  who  owned  contiguous  lands,were 
makinti  liberal  offers  of  land  for  county  pur- 
poses.   Tlie  Stanford  location  was  on   the 
Ft.  Clark  road  and  was  surrounded  by  a  con- 
siderable population,  while  the  latter   site 
was  covered  by  hazel  brush  and  decidedly  in 
the   backwoods.    It  was  thought   that  the 
commissioners  had  decided  in  favor  of  Stan- 
ford's,   when  Isaac  Busey  prevailed  upon 
them  to  go  home  with  him  to  stay  all  night 
before  driving  the  stake  that  was  to  settle 
the   controversy.    They  went,    and  before 
another  sun  rose,  tradition  informs  us,  the 
stake  was  driven  in  a  patch  of  hazel  brush 
where  the  court  house  now   stands.    The 
driving  of  that  stake,  although  an  unimport- 
ant circumstance  at  that  time,  has  proved 
an  eventful  one  upon  many  things  happen- 
ing since.    Tliere  are  those  who  indulged  in 
dark  hints  at  the  time  of  undue  influences, 
the  echo  of  which  may  be  heard  yet,  but  no 
doubt  the  commissioners  acted  from  honest 
motives.      Had    Stanford's    been   accepted 
Somer  would  have  been  the  site  of  the  coun- 
ty  seat   instead    of  Urbana.    The  circum- 
stances   soon    began    to    work     necessary 
changes.    Population  began  to  gather  on  the 
south  side    of   the    grove;    stores,   limited 
however   to  a  few  articles  only,  were  open- 
ed in  Urbana.    Courts  were  held  here  and 
roads  were  opened  leading  to  other  parts  of 
the   county.    The  postoffice  had  its   name 
changed  from  Van  Buren  to  Urbana,  and  T. 
R.  Webber,  in  addition  to  the  offiice  of  clerk 
of  the  circuit  court,  and  perhaps  other  offices, 
became  postmaster. 

The  location  of  the  county  so  far  from  the 
Wabash  and  Illinois  rivers  and  from  Lake 
Michigan,  the  only  public  means  of  trans- 
portation, from  necessity  made  its  growth 
in  population  slow.  It  is  probable  that  in 
1S33,  wiien  this  county  came  into  existence, 
its  population  did  not  exr-eed  800.    In  1H3.5, 


115 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


it  was  only  1250  and  in  1850  only  2,649. 

MY    OWN  OBSEKVATION. 

In  1853,  twenty  years  after  this  became  a 
county,  I  first  saw  these  beautiful  land- 
scapes, then  almost  in  a  state  of  nature,  and 
determined  to  make  this  my  future  home. 
Except  in  the  limited  increase  in  population, 
the  county  had  made  but  little  advancement 
in  twenty  years.  From  two  postoffices,  Van 
Buren  aud  Luddiugton,  .afterwards  changed 
to  Homer,  the  number  had  increased  to  Ave 
only.  None  of  the  streams  were  bridged 
except  the  S.alt  Fork  at  Homer.  The  roads 
were  little  better  than  traces  across  the 
pi-airie  aud  through  timber  belts,  with  bat 
little  improvement  in  the  lanes  in  the  way 
of  grading  and  culverts.  The  settlements 
were  confined  to  the  groves  and  timber  belts 
almost  exclusively.  I  only  remember  a  few 
farms  opened  a  mile  from  the  timber.  The 
road  from  Urbana  to  Mahomet— from  timber 
to  timber— had  perhaps  not  to  exceed  six 
farms  opened  upon  it.  Few  could  be  found 
who  were  daring  enough  to  assert  that  these 
prairies  would  ever  be  settled.  Lands  could 
be  had  at  from  a  few  cents  per  acre  for  gov- 
ernment lands  under  the  graduation  law,  to 
^10  per  acre,  for  choice  improved  locations. 
There  were,  perhaps,  five  or  six  cheap 
church  buildings,  one  of  which  was  in  Ur- 
bana, and  not  to  exceed  a  dozen  school  hous- 
es of  all  kinds.  No  railroad  or  other  public 
means  of  conveyance  touched  the  county, 
altiiough  the  Illinois  Central,  the  pioneer 
railroad,  was  located  and  partly  graded. 
Transportation  to  the  county  was  conducted 
entirely  by  private  conveyance,  and  mostly 
from  the  Wabash  towns,  to  which  merclian- 
aise  was  brought  from  the  eastern  cities  by 
canal  and  by  river  steamers.  The  county 
had  advanced  to  its  third  court  liouse,  a  fair 
looking  two  story  brick  structure.  The 
public  business  was  mostly  transacted  by 
T.  R.  Webber,  Esq.,  then  and  for  many 
years  clerk  of  both  courts  aud  master  in 
cliancery.  His  office  held  all  tlie  records  of 
the  county,  which  were  well  and  neatly 
kept.  Tlie  population  of  these  two  towns, 
not  then  as  now  divided  into  two  towns,  for 
not  until  long  thereafter  was  township  or- 
ganization adopted,  was  confined  exclusive- 
ly to  a  little  belt  immediately  about  tlie  Big 
Grove,  there  being  no  settler  in  the  neigh- 
borhood more  than  a  mile  from  the  timber. 
Of  tliose  known  as  old  settlers  who  have 
since  removed  or  died,  I  knew  and  can  name 
many:  James  and  Asa  Gere,  Archa  Gamp- 
bell,  Edward  Ater,  M.  P.  Snelling,  Robert 
Logan,  T.  R.  Webber,  James  Porter,  J.  W. 
Jaquith,  Penrose  Stidham,  Jacob  Smith, 
Mathew  Busey,  Bartlett  Elrodd,  J  oshua  Tay- 
lor, John  Shepherd,  D.  O.  Brumiey,T.  L.  Tru- 


man, James  T.  Roe,  John  Gilliland,  John, 
Robert,Benjamin,Joseph,Samuel  and  Joseph 
F.  Brownfield,  Jacob  Heater,  James  and 
Waitmau  T.  Somers,  Lewis  Adkins,  Mathias 
and  Martin  Rhineheart,  James  C.  Young, 
William  Adams,  James  Dean,  John  Cant- 
ner,  Dr.  Winston  Somers,  A.  G.  Carle,  J. 
D.  Wilson,  Stephen  Boyd,  Elisha  Harkness, 
Wilson  Lewis,  Asahel  Bruer,  C.  M.  Van- 
derveer,  William  and  Z.  E.  Gill,  JohnCrabb, 
James  Myers,  James  Clements,  John  Sliep- 
herd,  John  Campbell  and  Benjamin  Chil- 
ders. 

There  were  few  houses  in  the  settlement 
of  a  character  much  above  the  pioneer  cabin 
or  block  house  and  few  permanent  barns. 
The  people  were  mostly  from  Indiana  and 
the  southern  states,  with  a  few  from  New 
York  and  the  eastern  states.  From  habit 
and  taste  hospitable,  the  stranger  who  came 
among  them  was  kindly  received  and  hos- 
pitably entertained.  What  they  wanted 
most  was  emigrants  to  till  up  their  mag- 
nificent country,  and  so  the  stranger  was 
warmly  welcomed.  The  principal  business 
of  tlie  farmers  was  the  raising  and  fatten- 
ing of  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market.  Very 
little  grain  was  raised  for  sale,  other  than 
to  cattle  feeders,  owing  to  the  want  of 
transportation.  Such  was  this  county 
when  in  1853  my  eyes  were  gladened  by 
what  seemed  to  my  enthusiastic  gaze  the 
most  enchanting  prospect  under  the  sun. 

The  next  year,  18.54,  the  trains  of  the  Illi. 
nois  Central  railroad  awoke  the  echoes  on 
our  prairies  and  in  our  groves  and  proved, 
in  fact,  the  turning  point  in  the  history  of 
this  county.  Population  flowed  in  and  capi- 
t  al  sought  investment.  Lands  were  greedi- 
ly sought  out  and  the  echoless  pi'airies  be- 
came the  home  of  civilization.  Tlie  pio- 
neers became  restless  under  tiie  pressure 
and  many  of  those  above  named  sought 
broader  fields  in  the  far  west.  School 
houses,  churches  and  railroads  multiplied, 
our  villages  became  cities  and  populous  vil- 
lages sprang  up  all  over  the  county.  The 
State  University  came  and  sat  down  in  our 
midst,  bringing  with  it  culture,  taste  and 
refinement  in  the  liberal  arts,  and  the  ham- 
let, which  I  iound  in  1853,  with  but  one  lit- 
tle wooden  church  and  no  house  fit  to  be 
called  a  school-house,  has  become  a  great 
seat  of  learning  where  our  sons  and  our 
daughters  may,  if  they  choose,  drink  deeply 
from  wisdom's  fount.  The  population  of 
less  than  3000  has  become  50,000  and  the 
county  holds  a  position  in  the  political  and 
educational  affairs  of  the  state  second  to 
few. 

All  this  and  much  more  has  been  brought 
about  in  this  one  county  under  the  liberaliz- 


PIONEERS   OF  CHAMPAIGN  COVNTY. 


116 


ing  intluences  of  our  free  iustitiitions,  in  a 
third  of  a  century. 

Loooking  to  the  near  future  to  be  partici- 
pated in  by  many  of  us  we  wonderingly 
ask,  "What  next."  Withdrawing  our  gaze 
from  what  we  may  yet  see  and  participate 
in,  and  looking  to  the  far  away  future  of 
our  county  and  city,  when  we  and  tliose 
with  us  shall  have  been  gathered  to  our 
fathers,  we  also  naturally  ask : 

Who'll  press  for  gold  this  crowded  street, 

A  huudred  years  to  come? 

Who'll  tread  yon  church  with  willing  feet 

A  hundred  years  to  come? 

Pale,  trembling  age  and  fiery  youth. 

And  childhood  with  its  brow  of  truth. 

The  rich  and  poor,  on  land  or  sea, 

Where  will  the  mighty  million  be, 

A  hundred  years  to  come? 

We  all  within  our  graves  shall  sleep 
A  hundred  years  to  come; 
No  living  soul  for  us  shall  weep, 
A  hundred  years  to  come. 
But  other  men  our  land  will  till 
And  others  then  our  streets  will  fill. 
And  other  words  will  sing  as  gay. 
And  bright  the  sunshine  as  to-day, 
A  hundred  years  to  come. 


CoNDiT,  Brown,  Newcomb  and 
East  Bend  Townships. 

Read  at  Old  Settlers'  Reunion,  July  29, 1886. 
BY  F.  B.   SALE. 


CONDIT. 

This  township  was  formerly  the  east  half 
of  Newcomb  and  was  organized  into  a  town- 
ship in  1867.  The  first  settler  was  Ethan 
Newcomb,  who  settled  in  the  county  in  1828 
at  what  is  known  as  Newcomb's  Ford  on  the 
road  or  trail  from  Big  Grove  to  Cheney's 
Grove  and  Bloomington.  The  following 
are  among  the  old  settlers :  Fielding  Loyd, 
who  settled  in  1834;  John  Phillippe,  in  1837; 
Steven  Pusey,  in  1839;  Lewis  Adkins,  son  of 
one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Big  Grove  and 
son-in-law  of  John  Phillippe,  in  1840;  C.  F. 
Columbia,  in  1844;  William  and  Dave  Hawk, 
John  and  Abe  Fisher  and  Wm.  Morain,  in 
1847;  the  Cramers  in  18.52;  the  Gulicks  in 
1850;  B.  Ham  in  18.53;  Alfred,  Zack,  Richard, 
Dock,  John,  Harrison  W.and  Deskin  Gulick, 
with  a  widowed  mother,  all  came  from  Vir- 
ginia in  the  year  mentioned;  Hale  A.  John- 
son, the  Putnams,  F.  B.  Sale,  Wm.  Lenning- 
ton,  Newark  Lax  and  many  others,  came  to 
the  township  in  18.56.  Sale  had  been  in  the 
county  since  October,  18,53. 

The  first  school  teachers  were  Columbus 
Taylor,  Miss  Betsy  Banes,  Miss  Discy  A. 
Newell,  David  Cheney,  Nancy  Butler  and 
F.  B.  Sale. 

The  first  preaching  place  was  at  Phill- 
ippe's.  The  Methodist  elder  John  Britten- 
ham  ;  first  preachers,  Levi  Pitner,  A.  Brad- 
shaw,  J.  C.  Long  and  Mr.  Arnold. 


The  first  postoffice  was  established  in  18,57, 
F.  B.  Sale  postmaster;  it  was  called  New- 
comb and  retained  that  name  until  the  com- 
pletion of  the  narrow  gauge  railroad  in  1876, 
when  the  name  was  changed  to  Fisher  and 
the  office  removed  to  that  place. 

The  first  supervisor  was  A.  B.  Condit,  in 
honor  of  whom  the  township  was  named. 
The  township  now  has  eight  school  houses, 
three  churches,  has  neither  railroad,  village, 
saloon,  blacksmith  shop  nor  manufactory  of 
any  kind,  does  not  owe  a  cent,  and  has  no 
dead  beats.  It  is  strictly  an  agricultural 
township. 

BROWN. 

Organized  from  East  Bend  in  1869.  First 
settler  one  Wm.  B.  King,  in  18;M,  who  was 
the  only  one  for  years  in  what  is  now  Brown 
township.  The  first  entry  of  land  was  in 
1845  in  Sec.  4.  Wm.  Brown  was  an  early 
settler  on  Sec.  3.  The  town  takes  its  name 
from  him.  Thomas  Stevens,  a  wealthy  cat- 
tle dealer,  settled  in  the  north  part  in  185,5, 
(now  in  Gibson),  Ithaman  Maroney  in  the 
extreme  northwest  corner  about  same  time. 
He  enlisted  in  tlie  army  in  1862  and  did  not 
return  to  this  county.  Wm.  H.  Groves,  the 
oldest  living  settler,  came  in  1854,  and  still 
lives  on  section  34.  Among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers we  mention  Carl  Dobson,  C.  C.  Harris, 
now  of  Champaign.  Wm.  Peabody,  now  in 
Oregon,  David  Cooter,  John  Strauss,  Ly- 
man Smith, Adams,  Steven  Brown  and 

others. 

The  Chicago  branch  of  the  Wabash  R.  R. 
cuts  tlirough  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
town  and  a  flourishing  village  called  Foos 
is  the  station.  The  H.,  R.  &  E.  also  runs 
through  the  south  and  on  it  Fisher  is  situated. 

NEWCOMB. 

Newcomb,  formerly  couiposed  of  range  7 
and  8,  in  town  21,  divided  in  1867.    Sanga- 
mon river  runs  through  east  side.    First  set- 
tler is  said  to  have  been  one  Mitchell  in  18.35 
at  Pancake's  Point.      He  was  a  Kentuckian 
and  did  not  remain  long.    Wm.  Pancake 
and  Jesse  W.  Pancake  came  in  18.37;  Joseph 
T.  Everett,  1841 ;  Major  Sam'l  Houston,  1849 ; 
J.  S.  Hannah  and  J.  J.  Hannah,   18.57;  Wm. 
Lane,  Goo.  Kimble,   P.   Hinton,  Augustus 
Blacker,    Sam'l  Rhodes,  Sam'l  and  Allen 
Hubbard,  R.  Lester,  Banes  Broderick,  18,53; 
Rector   and    Merrill    E.    Hollo  way,    J.    H. 
Funston   and    Hiram  Trotter,  1856.     First 
school  teacher.  Miss  Martha  Newell,  at  Jesse 
Pancake's  old  house  in  1851.    First  birth, 
Joseph  Pancake,  son  of  Wm.   P.    and  wife. 
First  preaching  at  J.  S.  Hannah's,  Methodist 
Episcopal,  by  Rev.  Parker.    First  postoffice, 
Shiloh  Centre,  ni  1874.    Shiloh  church  built 
in  1865;  U.  B.  church,  section  3,  built  in  1874. 


117 


PIOXREES  OF  CHAJfPAIOy  COUXTT. 


EAST  BEND 
Derives  its  name  from  the  bend  in  the  San- 
gamon river,  which  extends  further  east  in 
this  township  than  at  any  other  point  It 
and  Brown  township  once  had  the  name  of 
Sodom,  which  was  the  name  of  the  first  post- 
office.  Thompson  Dickson,  t.  M. 

First  Settlers :  Franklin  Dobson  and  Lot 
King  in  ISST :  Nicholas  Devore  in  1S41,  his 
sons.  A.  J.  Devore  and  John  Devore.  still 
live  in  san^;  Harvey  Taylor.  1S45:  Gardner 
Sweet,  1S4S:  J.  L.  Cosner  (still  there). 
Thompson  Dickson  and  Harmon  Hilberry. 
1S52:  Ben  Dolph  and  Richard  Chism.  1S.54; 
Xoble  Byers,  John  Stansberry  and  Isaiah 
Ferris,  1S56:  Alfred  Houston,  Joshua  Peck- 
ham.  Phillip  Hummel.  Charles  Knapp  and 
John  Hamit.  1S58. 

The  H.,  R  &  E.  R.  R.  runs  through  the 
south  part.  The  principal  station  is  Dewey, 
about  100  inhabitants,  mostly  German.  In 
the  town  are  three  stores,  besides  dne  large 
implement  warehouse,  one  blacksmith  shop, 
one  church,  German  Lutheran,  school  house. 
mill,  and  an  extensive  business  is  done  in 
grain  and  produce.  The  principal  operators 
are  E.  C  Sale.  John  Heineman  and  J.  H. 
Linebarger. 


St.  Joseph,  Stanton  and  Ogden 
Townships. 

Read  at  Old  Settlers'  JEieunion,  July  29,  ISSTi. 
BY  C.  H.  GALLION. 


ST.    JOSEPH. 

Geographically,  St  Joseph  township  lies 
in  the  second  tier  of  townships  from  the 
east  coimty  line,  and  is  bounded  ou  the 
north  by  Stanton,  ou  the  east  by  Ogden  and 
Homer,  on  the  south  by  Sidney,  and  on  the 
west  by  Urbana.  The  original  sursey  was 
made  in  1821  by  Jacob  Judy,  then  deputy 
surveyor-general,  and  it  was  made  a  politi- 
cal township  when  the  county  adopted 
township  organization. 

The  Aboriginal  history  of  St  Joseph 
township  is  identical  with  that  of  the  whole 
county.  However,  when  the  Red  men 
roamed  this  country  in  search  of  a  suitable 
burying  ground  for  their  dead  braves,  they 
chose  the  site  where  the  present  village  of 
St  Joseph  stands.  This  fact  is  still  evi- 
denced by  .several  mounds  which  are  yet 
visible,  and  from  some  of  which  have  been 
exhumed  the  bones  of  human  beings. 

But  when  the  Indian  jielded  the  territory, 
and  it  was  opened  to  settlement  for  the 
white  man,  such  names  as  tlie  Stajtons.  the 
bwearingens,  the  Peters"  and  the  Bartleys. 
came  into  prominence.  The  first  settler  in 
the   town.ship  was    Nicholas    Yount.    who 


came  in  1S2S,  and  built  a  log  cabin  on  the 
farm  where  J  no.  M.  Peters  now  lives.  Two 
years  later.  Joseph  Stayton.  father  of  David 
B.  Stayton,  moved  from  Kentucky,  and  was 
the  first  permanent  settler  in  the  township. 
In  the  spring  of  1S31  Yount  sold  his  improve- 
ment to  W.  il.  Peters,  also  from  Kentucky, 
who  for  many  years  acted  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  whose  descendants  consist  of  the 
numerous  families  by  that  name  who  still 
reside  in  the  township.  The  next  fall.  Jno. 
W.  Swearingen,  also  from  Kentucky  settled 
near  Hickory  Grove.  In  the  spring  of  1S32 
came  the  Bartleys,  and  soon  afterward 
Caleb  Shreve  and  Jno.  H.  Strong's  father. 
Orange  Strong,  settled  on  the  banks  of  the 
Salt  Fork. 

The  first  person  ever  buried  In  St.  Joseph 
township  was  the  mother  of  Nicholas  Yount. 
and  the  first  child  ever  bom  in  the  township 
was  a  child  of  Joseph  Staytou"s.  which  died 
in  infancy.  The  first  school  was  taught  in 
1S33  by  Jno  Ford,  and  the  school  house  was 
the  kitchen  of  Squire  Peters*  residence. 

The  first  village  in  the  township  was  the 
Old  Town  of  St.  Joseph,  situated  on  the 
State  Road  at  the  Salt  Fork  crossing.  At 
the  height  of  its  glor\-,  this  village  could 
boast  only  of  three  stores,  a  post  office,  a 
tavern,  a  blacksmith  shop  and  several 
dwellings.  The  naming  of  St  Joseph  is 
described  by  the  following  circumstance. 
It  is  related  that  at  one  time,  when  Joseph 
Kelley  kept  the  tavern  stand,  a  stranger 
came  along  and  stopped  with  Mr.  Kelley, 
and  the  two  became  quite  agreeable  friends 
and  for  several  days  had  a  jovial  time  to- 
gether. When  the  stranger  departed.  Kelley. 
out  of  consideration  for  the  good  time  they 
had  had  in  company,  refused  to  charge  him 
anything,  whereupon  the  mysterious  strang- 
er told  the  landlord,  that  he  would  "do 
something  for  him"'  for  his  kindness.  Soon 
afterward,  the  stranger,  whom  it  seems  was 
some  politician  of  more  than  ordinary  in- 
fluence, and  in  some  way  connected  with 
the  administration,  at  Washington,  secured 
the  establishment  of  a  post  office,  the  need 
of  which  he  had  i>erhaps  learned  during  his 
stay  at  Kelley's.  Kelley  was  appointed  post 
master,  and  in  his  honor  it  was  called  St. 
Joseph,  from  Kelley's  first  name. 

The  present  thriving  village  of  St.  Joseph 
dates  its  existence  from  the  building  of  the 
Indiana,  Bloomington  and  Western  railway 
in  1^*66.  The  earliest  settler  on  the  site  of 
the  town  was  Catharine  Hoss.  who  entered 
40  acres  of  land  in  1839.  The  first,  busines.s 
house  was  opened  in  1870.  in  the  west  part 
of  town  by  Wm.  O.  Shreve  and  Van  B. 
Swearingen.  These  gentlemen  have  since 
been  activelv  identified  with   the  busine.ss 


PIUXEEBS  OF  CHuLMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


118 


interests  of  the  place,  and  have  contributed 
not  a  little  to  its  prosperity. 

Shortly  after.  A.  K.  Ralph  moved  np  a 
store  building  from  the  old  town,  and  open- 
ed the  tirst  business  house  in  the  east  part 
of  the  \lllaffe. 

In  the  early  part  of  1S80.  the  village  was 
incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  state, 
and  at  present  comprises  some  twenty-live 
business  firms,  two  public  halls,  two  hand- 
some churches  and  a  large  and  well  con- 
ducted graded  school. 

On  the  construction  of  the  L,  B.  and  W. 
Ry..  a  station  called  ^layview  was  establish- 
ed in  St.  Joseph  township  about  4  miles 
west  of  the  \-illage.  and  now  consists  of  a 
store,  post  office,  blacksmith  shop,  grain 
elevator  and  a  handsome  Methodist  church. 

St.  Joseph  township  has  held  its  place 
among  the  foremost  townships,  and  in  an 
early  day.  had  much  to  do  in  the  civU 
government  of  the  county.  The  law  es- 
tablishing this  county  provided  for  the 
election  of  three  commissioners,  to  be  the 
highest  in  authority  in  the  county.  Jacob 
Bartley.  of  St  Joseph,  was  a  member  of  the 
first  board.  Six  of  the  members  of  the  first 
grand  jury,  and  three  of  the  first  petit  jury 
were  from  Sl  Joseph.  The  first  poor  farm  in 
the  county  was  in  St.  Joseph  township,  the 
one  now  owned  by  Abe  Hoy.  The  first  bridge 
in  the  county  spanned  the  Salt  Fork  where 
it  is  crossed  by  the  State  road  in  St.  Joseph, 
and  the  first  regular  preacher  in  the  county 
made  St.  Joseph  one  of  his  appointments. 
The  first  organized  drainage  district  in  the 
state  under  the  new  law.  was  in  St.  Joseph, 
and  -.'.nder  the  head  of  public  improvements, 
SL  Joseph  to^^-nship  donated  825.000  for  the 
constiuction  of  the  L.  B.  and  W.  Ry.  The 
first  supenisor  was  S.  S.  Rankin,  and  the 
subsequent  representatives  in  the  county 
board  have  been  Mahlon  Glascock.  V.  B. 
Swearingen.  H.  W.  Dmlltnger.  G.  W.  Doyle, 
Jno.  L.  Smith.  David  B.  Staylon,  Abe 
Thompson,  W.  O.  Shreve  and  the  present 
incumbent.  V.  .J.  Gallion. 


STANTON. 

Stanton  township  at  one  time  formed  a 
part  of  St.  Joseph,  but  was  cut  off  in  1S69 
and  in  187S  it  was  reduced  to  its  present 
limits  by  the  incorporation  of  part  of  it  into 
Ogden  township.  The  first  settler  of  whom 
we  can  learn  was  John  Trimble,  who  enter- 
eil  SO  acres  of  land  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Spoon  river,  near  the  Vanfleet  farm.  But 
chief  among  the  early  settles  was  Levi 
Crayne.  who  settled  on  Salt  Fork  when  the 
whole  township  was  a  vast  prairie.  He 
came  from  Ohio  and  lived  longer  in  Stanton 
than  anv  other  man.    Frederick  O.  Franken- 


berg  was  the  first  man  to  settle  in  the  west 
part  of  the  township.  The  Whitzell  broth- 
ers came  soon  after  and  Jonathan  Hunt, 
who  made  a  settlement  there  in  IS-SS  was 
one  of  the  first  justices  of  the  peace.  The 
Hayworths  moved  on  the  farm  they  now 
occupy  in  l^^il  and  are  well  known  and  re- 
spected citizens.  E.  W.  Swisher  has  long 
held  the  oflSce  of  justice  of  the  peace  in  the 
township,  and  Erastns  J.  Clark  figured 
largely  in  political  circles.  Atthough  Stan- 
ton township  contains  no  village,  the  resi- 
dents find  excellent  marketing  facilities  at 
St.  Joseph,  and  to  the  industrious  farmers 
of  Stanton  is  the  wonderful  growth  of  that 
village  largely  due. 

This  township  is  somewhat  noted  as  con- 
taining the  largest  settlement  of  Friends  or 
Quakers  in  the  county. 

The  first  supervisor  of  Stanton  was  L.  C. 
Melette.  who  was  followed  by  Isaac  Weaver. 
J.  D.  WhitzeU.  E.  T  Johnson.  L.  H.  White. 
E.  M.  RusseL  Isaac  L.  Lefever,  Jesse  Mel- 
lette and  David  Maddocfc.  the  present  su- 
pervisor. 


OGDEN. 
Ogden  township  is  situated  in  the  ex- 
treme eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  is 
soaiewhat  irregular  in  shape,  being  10-^ 
miles  long  from  north  to  soutii.  and  3-i 
mUes  wide  from  east  to  west  The  first  sur- 
vey was  made  in  1821  by  James  Thompson, 
deputy  surveyor,  and  the  organization  of 
the  township  was  effected  in  ISTS.  The  first 
settlement  was  made  iu  Hickory  Grove  by 
Hiram  Rankin,  who  soon  after  moved  to  St. 
Joseph.  The  next  settlement  was  made  in 
Burr  Oak  Grove.  Ln  the  northern  part  of  the 
township.  Garrett  Moore,  who  was  among 
the  earliest  men  to  make  improvements  in 
Ogden  township  was  the  first  constable  in 
Champaign  county.  The  Richards,  Free- 
mans  and  the  FLrebaughs  are  all  familiar 
names  among  the  old  settlers.  The  first 
supervisor  was  E  N.  Miles.  Eleazer  Free- 
man is  at  present  supervisor. 


Rantoul  Township. 

Rr:ad  at  Oid  Srtffe-r«"  Rcunum,  Juiv  29, 18SB. 
BY  -JOHX  KOrGHTOX. 

The  country  now  known  as  Rantool  was 
formerly  known  as  Mink  Grove,  from  the 
grove  bearing  that  name  near  the  present 
town  of  Rantoul,  which  was  a  general 
rendezvous  for  the  Indians.  The  first  white 
settler  was  Archa  Campbell,  who  built  a 
house  in  the  township  in  the  fall  of  1S4S. 
The  house  was  fourteen  feet  square,  one 
story,  and  built  ot  split  lo«rs,  it  was  roofed 
with  rough  boards  twelve  or  fourteen  feet 
long- 


119 


PIONEKUa  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Cainpbell's  nearest  neighbors  were 
Franklin  Dobson,  on  the  Sangamon  river, 
nine  miles  west,  and  Lewis  Adkins,  at 
nortli  end  of  Big  Grove,  eight  miles  south. 
Mr.  Campbell  farmed  until  18.58,  when  he 
sold  out  to  Guy  B.  Chandler.  It  was 
througii  the  influence  of  Mr.  Campbell  that 
the  Illinois  Central  railroad  located  the 
present  station  where  it  now  is. 

In  1852  Lewis  L.  Hicks  entered  a  section 
of  land  two  miles  north-east  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  his  brother-in-law  and  sister,  Gil- 
bert Martin  and  wife  in  18.53.  In  18.55  John 
W.  Dodge  came  here  from Twinsburg,  Ohio, 
for  the  purpose  of  pre-empting  land  for  the 
Ohio  colony.  He  remained  until  November 
and  by  that  time  had  caused  to  be  erected 
no  less  than  eigliteen  cheap  houses,  on  as 
many  quarter  sections,  within  a  radius  of 
six  miles  of  the  grove.  He  caused  to  be 
bought  for  himself  and  his  friends  3,295 
acres  of  land,  costing,  including  commis- 
sions S3.09  per  acre.  John  Penfield,  one  of 
the  prominent  men  of  the  township  remov- 
ed here  in  18.56.  In  18.55  John  Roughton 
started  a  blacksmith  shop  near  the  resi- 
dence of  A.  Darnell.  J.  W.  Dodge  per- 
manently located  here  May  9,  1856,  soon 
after  his  brother-in-law,  James  T.  Herrick, 
arrived,  followed  by  James  Smithers,  John 

B.  Perry,  .Columbus  Games,  Frank  Fads, 
Anderson   Brown  and  Benjamin   Bradley. 

J.  J.  Boiswas  appointed  agent  of  the  I.,  C. 
It.  R.  May  1,  1857  and  holds  that  position  at 
present.  He  was  also  agent  for  the  Ameri- 
can express  company  until  January  21,  lb66, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  E.  J.  Udell,  the 
incumbent,  who  discharges  the  duties  of 
that  office  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
everyone.  Mr.  Udell  has  also  been  tel- 
egraph operator  since  September  1,  1864. 

G.  W.  Carter  settled  in  1856,  Abraham  Cross 
in  same  year,  John  A.  Benedict  arrived 
November  1,  1856,  he  has  since  died,  his 
biography  and  portrait  appears  on  another 
page  of  this  book,  Wm.  O.  Bissell  came 
in  18.55.  Tlie  town  plat  of  Rantoul  was 
platted  in  the  summer  of  18.56,  by  John 
and  Guy  D.  Penheld,  who  have  done  much 
to  build  up  the  town  since.  Among  the 
new  comers  to  the  town  were  Muns  West, 

C.  F.  Post,  T.  E.  Frederick,  Dr.  I).  M.  Mar- 
shall, Wm.  R.  Jolinson,  Zimri  Reynolds, 
Dr.  J.  Sweatt,  Isaiah  Estej)  and  Mrs.  N.  L. 
Seaver. 

The  town  is  well  supplied  with  stores, 
which  are  supported  by  a  rich  country.  The 
growth  of  the  townsiiip  has  been  wonder- 
ful and  it  is  not  surpassed  in  improvements 
and  energy  of  its  citizens  by  any  township 
in  tiie  county. 


Ludlow,   Harwood   and  Kerr 
Townships. 

Read  at  Old  Settlers'  Reunion,  July  29, 1886. 
BY  .J.   M.  HARXIT. 

The  Illinois  Central  R.  R.  was  completed  to 
Pera,  now  Ludlow,  in  18,5:3,  and  a  turn  table 
put  in  there,  which  was  moved  to  Cham- 
paign in  18.54.  The  first  agent  was  John 
Lucas.  He  died  in  Ludlow  in  18T0.  The 
first  school  w^as  taught  by  Miss  Mary  Wood, 
in  the  R.  R.  freight  house,  in  1858. 

The  first  settler,  not  considering  the  em- 
ployers of  the  I.,  C.  R.  R.  were  Dr.  EmuKms, 
Jas.  Barklow,  B.  F,  Dye,  Isaiah  Estep,  L. 
L.  Hicks,  R.  W.  Claj'pool,  A.  Hunt  andSeth 
I'arsons. 

John  W.  Dodge,  now  of  Rantoul,  and 
others,  known  as  the  Ohio  settlement, 
settled  in  the  years  1855,  6  and  7;  about  the 
same  time  Uncle  Sam'l  Lewis,  and  his  son 
Wm.  and  family,  G.  C.  and  W.  H.  Walker, 
with  their  father,  now  dead.  Z.  Genung, 
John  Roughton,  Sam'l  Livingston  and  James 
and  Patrick  Malloy,  a  number  of  whom  are 
still  residents  of  the  township  have  witness- 
ed the  growth  of  the  county  from  raw 
prairie  laud  to  a  tine  farming  country. 
Squire  Roughton's  farm  being  now  regarded 
as  ihe  best  improved  in  the  township.  There 
was  but  little  improvement  from  '.58  to  '65, 
after  which  the  township  settled  rapidly 
and  is  now  very  largely  under  cultivation. 

John  Springsteen  was  the  first  blacksmith, 
John  P.  and  Samuel  Middleeoff  the  first 
merchants.  Uncle  John,  as  he  is  called,  still 
resides  here,  John  P.  Middlecoft'  resides  in 
Paxton  and  his  brother  Samuel  died  in  the 
service  of  his  country— in  the  war  of  the  re- 
bellion. I  believe  M.  Huffman  was  the  first 
post  master.  The  town,  to-day,  has  two 
general  stores,  three  grain  buyers,  one 
hardware,  two  grocery  and  provision  stores, 
one  boot  and  shoe  store,  two  blacksmith 
shops,  a  graded  school  and  two  churches— 
the  M.  E.  and  Christian,  and  it  is  said  tliere 
are  but  two  stations  on  the  line  of  the  lUin. 
ois  Central  from  which  tliat  company 
transports  more  grain  than  they  do  from 
Ludlow. 


HARWOOD. 
Jeremiah  Delay  was  the  first  settler  locat- 
ing on  section  30,  in  18,52;  Jacob  Hufi'man 
settled  on  section  1  the  same  year,  and 
Michael  Hulfman  tlu>  ne  ct  year  on  section  3. 
He  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  P3ace  in 
Pera  township.  Mr.  Bullock  settled  on  sec- 
tion 33  shortly  after,  but  in  what  year  I  am 
not  informed;  James  Custer  settled  on  sec- 
tion 1  in  18.54;  A.  N.  and  Wm.  Leneve  set- 
tled on  section  12  in  is,5.5,  and  J.  1).  Ludlow 


PIONEERS   OF  <  IIAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


120 


on  section?;  John  and  VVilUam  Crawford, 
O.  P.  and  Holsomber  Soper,  settled  in  the 
township,  shortly  after;  Dr.  J.  C.  Maxwell, 
James  Marlatt,  R.  W.  and  A.  Claypool, 
made  improvements  in  ISofi.  The  first 
school  taui^ht  in  the  township  was  taught  in 
a  log  building,  on  section  11,  where  John  S. 
Weber's  farm  residence  now  stands,  (and 
had  previously  served  as  a  pre-emption 
shanty  for  several  different  parties)  in  tiie 
year  18(50,  by  Augustus  S.  Crawford,  from 
this  until  the  close  of  the  war,  the  settle- 
ment was  slow,  but  in  1S05  the  township  be. 
gan  to  settle  rapidly,  until  to-day,  there  is 
not  a  quarter  section  of  unfilled  land  in  the 
town.  The  townsliip  is  divided  into  school 
districts  two  miles  square. 

KEKK. 
Wm.  McMillen  was  the  first  settler— he 
settled  at  Sugar  Grove  in  1831 ;  John  Mann- 
ing settled  tliere  shortly  afterwards,  and 
died  soon  after;  Samuel  Kerr  settled  near 
Sugar  Grove  in  18:34;  Allen  Skinner  settled 
where  Lewis  Kuder  now  lives,  in  1835,  and 
entered  lantl  there ;  D.  S.  Holber  located  on 
section  21,  perhaps  in  1836,  and  John  Walker 
in  1838.  The  log  house  built  by  him  is  still 
standing  and  owned  now  by  Wm.  Tomliu- 
son.  Solomon  Wilson  came  shortly  after- 
wards, and  the  same  year  Samuel  Sanford 
and  Robert  Brian  came,  likewise  Thomas 
Short  and  Wm.  Carter.  L.  Kuder,  the  oldest 
settler  now  living  in  the  township,  located 
there  in  the  fall  of  ViSS.  His  brothers,  Solo- 
mon, Christopher,  John  and  Elias,  were 
early  settlers  in  this  township,  also  Josephus, 
James  and  Perry  Martin  and  Levi  Wood, 
and  all  were  largely  engaged  in  growing  and 
feeding  stock.  Lindsey  Corbley  was  an 
early  settler  here,  and  became  wealthy  deal- 
ing in  stock,  and  making  good  use  of  the 
rich  pasture  lands  owned  by  him  in  this 
township.  Solomon  Mercer,  Lafayette  Pat- 
ton,  William  Snyder  and  A.  C.  Hilard,  were 
likewise  early  settlers  in  this  township. 
The  first  school  was  taught  by  Levi  Asher, 
in  1838,  in  a  log  school  house  on  section  21. 


Champaign  and  Hensley. 


Read  at  Old  Settlers'  Reunion,  JulyZ%  ISSfS. 
BY  II.  J.  DUNLAP. 

Although  the  history  relating  to  the  set- 
tlement of  both  the  towns  of  Champaign 
aiul  Hensley  has  been  assigned  to  me,  1  be- 
lieve that  Champaign  was  fully  discussed 
last  year,  while  Hensley,  so  far  as  I  am  able 
to  learn,  has  never  had  any  well  organized  at 
tempt  made  to  set  forth  in  unperishable  his- 
tory the  names  of  her  first  settlers.  The  first 
settlers  of  any  connnunity  are  not  always 
the  most  permanent,  although,  in  the  ca.se  of 


this  township,  many  who  canu;  at  an  early 
date  yet  remain.  1  am  indebted  to  Lothrop's 
history    for   some  of    my  facts;    to   Salem 
Hensley  and  Joshua  Dickerson,   for  others. 
When  I  first  saw  the  township  in  April  or 
May,  1^5fl,  there  were  but  few  hou.ses  except 
in  the  northwest  corner,  now  it  is  one  of  the 
most  prosjjerous  towns  in  the  county  and 
better  farmers,  farm  buildings  and  farm  sur- 
roundings, it  would  be  hard  to  find.    I  be- 
lieve that  a  man  named  Robert  Childreth 
was  the  first  man  to  locate  and  he  settled  in 
the  northwest  portion  of  the  town  but  did 
not  remain  long;  he  came  about  the  year 
1834.  After  him  came  Isaac  and  Jacob  Ham- 
mer in  183(5.    They  located  near  Childreth 
and  built  a  log  house.    These  men  were  fol- 
lowed shortly  afterward  by  John  Philips, 
and  Fomitain  Busey  and,  in  1837,  by  Heze- 
kiah    Phillippe    who    moved    from  Condit. 
Mr.  Phillippe  died  several  years  ago  but  the 
homestead  is  now  occupied  by  his  son,  An- 
drew J.  Phillippe.    1  find  among  those  who 
came  soon  before  18.55  the  names  of  Andrew 
and  Joshua  Dickerson,  James  M.  Graham, 
now  in  Kansas,    William   Fisher,    Richard 
Waugh,  who  now  lives  in  Mahomet  town- 
ship, a  man  named  Warerman  who  built  a 
house  on  the  Bloomiugton  road  near  where 
a  new  house    was    recently    built   by  A.  C. 
Burnham,  Charles  Miner  and  Samuel  Hyde, 
both  good  farmers  and  who  have  gone  to 
their  reward,   David  Wolfe  who  still  lives, 
Nat.  C.  Beasley,  who  died  several  years  ago, 
Samuel  and  James  Shaw,  both  dead.  Thom- 
as Herriott  who  removed  later  to  Kansas, 
H.  C.  West   still    a    resident,    and  John  S. 
Beasley  also  deceased.    Among  those  who 
came    in    18.55   were  A.  P.  Hensley  and  his 
sons,  two  of  whom,  Salem  and  P.  S.,  still 
remain  in  the  town.    The  first  house  was  of 
logs  and    I  ijresume   that   the    first   frame 
house  was   one  built    in   18.53  or  '54,  on  the 
Simpson   fann  as  it  was  known,   for  Willis 
King.  Joshua  Dickerson  built  a  frame  house 
for  Mr.  Ross  on  the  David  King  place  in  '55, 
and  says  that  there  were  only  three  houses 
visible  from  the  ridge.    The  first  school  was 
held  in  a  log  house  built  by  the  Hammers  in 
the  northwest  part  of  the  town  and  the  first 
school  house  was  built  in  the  Waugh  neigh- 
borhood   later.    I  am   unable  to  tell  nnich 
about  the  early  settlers  of  the  town  although 
I  was  personally  acquainted  with  many  of 
them;  but  I  never  had  the  least  idea  that  1 
should  be  called  upon  to  tell  of  their  virtues, 
for  I  am  sure  they  had  but  few  if  any  faults, 
but  had  1  known  of  it  1  might  have  asked 
many  questions  that  would   have   brought 
out  interesting  answers. 


121 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


The  Preemptors'  Fight. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  HOTI-Y  CONTESTED 
BATTLE  BY  THE  PKEKMPTOUS  OF  CEN- 
THAL  ILLINOIS  IN  DEFENSE  OF  THEII£ 
LAND. 


BY  JOHN  KOiroHTON. 

The  grant  of  lands  made  by  congress  to 
the  Illinois  Central  R.  K.  Co.,  designed  to 
aid  in  the  construction  of  their  road,  includ- 
ed every  alt(;rnate  or  even  numbered  section 
on  either  side  of  the  entire  length.  All  lands 
still  in  iKtssession  of  the  government  and 
lying  witiiin  lifteen  miles  of  the  road  were 
reserved  to  the  United  States  (taken  out  of 
market)  so  that  the  company  uught  select 
otiier  lands  in  lieu  of  even  numbered  sec- 
tions on  its  immediate  line  which  had  jne- 
viously  been  taken  up  for  settlement.  In 
185.5  the  railroad  company  having  made 
their  selections  those  still  remaining  were 
again  brought  into  market  by  the  proclama- 
tion of  the  president,  Franklin  Tierce.  Pre- 
vious to  the  time  appointed  for  public  sale  a 
large  majority  of  said  lands  were  entered 
under  the  then  existing  Preemption  Act. 
At  said  sale,  which  soon  followed,  all  the 
lands  in  the  then  Danville  district,  those 
which  were  as  well  as  those  which  were  not 
preempted  were  sold,  provided  that  should 
the  preemptor  make  satisfactory  proof  to 
the  government  the  purchaser  would  re- 
ceive back  his  money  without  interest.  The 
speculators,  who  in  those  days  were  dubbed 
"Land  sharks,"  taxed  their  ingenuity  in  de- 
vising methods  by  which  to  entice,  or  if 
need  be,  to  drive  away  the  poor  man  from 
his  home  and  fireside.  With  some  who 
cared  not  to  become  actual  tillers  of  the  soil 
tliey  easily  effected  a  compromise.  Others 
affrighted  by  threats  of  litigation  accepted  a 
small  bonus  and  left  their  lands.  Those  re- 
maining in  Champaign  county,  occupying 
as  they  then  did  nearly  four  thousand  acres 
being  mon^  resolute  could  not  be  intimidated. 
Then  came  the  tug  of  war  and  in  dead  earn- 
est did  Greek  meet  Greek,  each  determined 
to  fight  it  out  to  the  bitter  end.  Were  those 
lands  subject  to  preemption  was  the  only 
issue.  The  speculator  set  up  the  i)lea  that 
"tiiey  were  reserved  to  the  United  States," 
and  therefore  exempt  by  the  act  under 
which  the  preemjitions  were  made.  On  the 
other  hand  it  was  claimed  that  while  it  was 
true  that  these  lands  had  been  "reserved" 
for  tiu'  iiurjjoses  above  .set  forth,  it  was 
e(|ually  true  that  the  president  by  iiis  proc- 
lamation put  an  end  to  the  reservation  and 
by  his  declaration  that  they  were  now  sub- 
ject to  private  entry  he  announced  tiie  fact 
that  they  wer«  also  subject  to  preemption. 

Litigation  coumienced.  The  siiprcnu'  court 


of  the  state  was  appealed  to  for  its  decision. 
In  that  court  the  speculator  obtained  a  vic- 
tory. It  was,  however,  cuiTently  believed 
that  the  victory  was  obtained  by  collusion 
with  the  preemptor  who  was  defendant  in 
the  case.  A  number  of  suits  in  ejection  fol- 
lowed in  the  inferior  courts  and  as  a  matter 
of  course  the  same  decision  rendered.  The 
preemptors  of  the  county  met  together  in 
council,  at  Champaign,  organized  a  preemp- 
tors" protective  association,  apix)inted  a  con- 
vention to  be  held  at  Onarga  and  elected 
delegates  to  the  same.  Notices  were  scat- 
tered abroad  and  every  one  interested  was 
invited  to  be  present  and  participate  in  its 
proceedings.  John  Koughton  and  N.  L. 
Seaver,  of  Eautoul  and  Luther  Eads,  of 
Champaign,  attended  the  convention  from 
Champaign  county  as  delegates.  Quite  a 
number  also  attended  from  counties  on  the 
main  line  of  the  I.  C.  R.  R.  The  convention 
passed  a  series  of  resolutions  expressive  of 
its  indignation  against  its  oppressors,  levied 
a  tax  of  30  cents  per  acre  upon  every  pre- 
emptor with  a  view  of  raising  a  defense 
fund  and  appointed  John  Roughton  to  wait 
upon  them  and  take  their  notes  for  that 
amount  payable  in  one  year  afterdate  to  the 
order  of  N.  L.  Seaver,  who  had  been  elected 
treasurer  of  the  association.  It  also  ap- 
pointed an  executive  connuittee  and  in- 
stracted  that  committee  to  select  a  suitable 
case  for  appeal  to  the  supreme  court  of  the 
United  States  and  to  employ  a  competent 
attorney  to  prosecute  the  same.  It  also 
listened  to  an  address  delivered  by  an  at- 
torney from  Danville,  who  came  there  for 
the  purpose  of  submitting  to  the  convention 
a  proposition  to  carry  u]i  to  the  supreme 
court  any  case  that  might  be  selected  for 
that  purpose.  He  asked  that  a  connuittee 
be  appointed  to  confer  with  him.  John 
Koughton,  N.  L.  Seaver  and  a  gentleman 
from  Woodford  county  were  appointed  as 
that  committee.  They  retired  to  a  private 
room,  received  his  proposition  and  reported 
to  the  convention.  It  was  as  follows:  For 
For  taking  up  a  case  from  the  circuit  court 
and  carrying  it  on  to  its  completion,  if  suc- 
cessful, eight  thousand  dollars;  if  unsuc- 
cessful, five  thousand.  The  jiroposition  was 
rejected  by  nearly  a  unanimous  vote  and 
the  executive  connuittee  urged  to  prosecute 
its  missi(m  as  si)ee(lily  as  possible.  A  few 
weeks  afterward  Mr.  A.  B.  Ives,  an  attor- 
ney who  resided  at  Bloomington  and  who 
had  been  employed  in  dt'fending  some  of 
the  cases  which  had  been  trietl  reported  to 
N.  L.  Seaver  and  Joiui  Koughton,  one  of 
them  at  the  same  time  expressing  it  as  his 
oi)inion  that  it  was  the  best  that  could  be 
found.    He  also  expre.s.se(l  a  desire  to  meet 


PRiNKKllS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


122 


the  committee  witli  a  view  of  being  employ- 
ed by  tliem  as  their  attorney.  Luther  T. 
Eads,  who  had  been  apix)inted  chairman  of 
the  committee  was  therefore  urged  to  call 
its  members  together.  He,  however,  having 
become  somewhat  disappointed  in  conse- 
quence of  tiie  rejection  of  Mr.  Drake's  prop- 
osition at  the  convention  refused  to  do  so. 
Mr.  Ives  being  advised  as  to  the  condition 
of  affairs  came  to  Kantoul  where  he  entered 
into  an  agreement  with  Messrs.  Houghton 
and  Seaver  to  carry  up  the  case  he  recom- 
mended and  continue  tlie  same  until  a  decis- 
ion was  obtained.  In  consideration  for  which, 
Mr.  Koughton  was  to  collect  the  tax  levied 
by  the  convention  and  turn  the  notes  over  to 
him  at  their  face  value.  Afterward  the  gen- 
tleman in  Woodford  county  agreed  to  do  the 
same.  Mr.  Ives  went  to  Washington  and 
Mr.  Koughton  visited  every  preemptor  in 
Champaign  county,  from  whom  he  collected 
jiotv^s  amounting  to  between  seven  and  eight 
hundred  dollars  and  turned  them  over  to 
him.  The  lirst  and  second  winter  sessions 
of  the  supreme  court  dragged  along  their 
weary  length  and  no  decision  was  obtained. 

"Uncertainty! 
Fell  demon  of  our  I'ears!  the  human  soul. 
That  can  support  despair,  supports  not  thee." 

When  the  third  came  the  yearnings  of  ev- 
ery heart  were  those  expressed  by  Frowde  in 
his  "Fall  of  Saguiitum:" 

"But  be  not  Ions',  for  in  the  tedious  minutes, 
Exquisite  interval,  I'm  on  the  rack; 
For  sure  the  greatest  evil  man  can  know. 
Hears  no  proportion  to  the  di-ead  suspense." 

However,  before  the  expiration  of  this 
term  victory  perched  upon  the  preemptor's 
banner— for  in  the  month  of  September  of 
the  year  1860,  Mr.  Ives  communicated  the 
intelligence  from  Washington  City,  that  the 
supreme  court  of  the  United  States  had  giv- 
en their  decisi(m  reversing  the  decision  of 
the  supreme  court  of  the  state  of  Illinois. 

How  many  of  the  old  preemptors  of  185.5 
now  remain  on  their  lands  it  would  be  diffi- 
cult to  determine.  Suffice  it,  however,  to 
say  by  way  of  conclusion,  that  this  writer, 
aided  by  his  only  son,  Reuben  Koughton, 
has  succeeded  in  rearing  upon  his  a  pleasant 
home  where  he  now  lives  and  where  during 
the  remainder  of  his  earth  life  he  expects  to 

"So  live,  that,   when  his  summons  c.raes  to 

join 
The  innumerable  caravan,  that  moves 
To  that  mysterious  realm,  where  each   shall 

take 
His  chamber  in  the  silent  halls  of  death. 
And  no  not,  like  the  quarry-slave  at  night, 
Scour-red  tfi  his  dungeon;  but  sustamcd  and 

sootird 
Ily  an  unfaltering  trust,  approach  his  grave. 
Like  one  that  draws  the  drajicry  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams.'' 


EARLY  SUNDAY   SCHOOLS, 


A.   O.   HOWELL. 

My>self  and  family  removed  to  this 
township  in  Octol)er,  18.58,  and  purchased 
the  farm  on  which  we  now  reside.  I  or- 
ganized a  Union  Sunday  school  in  the  old 
brick  court  house,  April  'J,  1854.  The  officers 
were  A.  O.  Howell,  superintendent,  and  M. 
A.  Barnes,  secretary.  Kev.  W.  W.  Blanch- 
ard  was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  ciuirch 
at  that  time  and  had  many  doubts  about  the 
success  of  the  enterprise.  The  lirst  Sunday 
there  were  30  members  in  attendance ;  the 
second,  .58;  May  tliird,  128.  Tiie  Meth- 
odists and  Baptists  were  cordial,  in  good 
feeling  and  co-operated  with  the  new 
school.  Many  of  our  members  were  prepar- 
ing to  build  and  remove  to  "the  depot,"  af- 
terwards called  "West  Urbana,"  now  Cham- 
paign city.  Sunday  school,  with  its  offi- 
cers, library,  &c.,  was  removed  to  an  unlin- 
ished  building  of  Deacon  Moses  Snelling,  on 
University  avenue,  now  the  residence  of 
Mr.  James  Wright.  We  had  rough 
boards  for  seats  and  a  goods  box  for  a  pul- 
pit. Here  we  re-opened  and  re-organized 
the  hrst  Sunday  school  ever  held  in  Cham- 
paign, on  the  4th  day  of  March,  1855.  We 
changed  our  name  from  "First  Union  Sun- 
day school  of  Urbana,  111.,"  to  First  Con- 
gregational Sunday  school  of  Champaign. 
We  built  the  tirst  Congregational  church  on 
corner  of  University  avenue  and  6tli  street, 
(sometimes  called  the  "Duck  Pond  church) 
where  our  Sunday  school  numbered,  on  one 
Sabbath,  202.  Thus  I  supposed  for  many 
years,  that  I  had  the  honor  of  arranging  and 
superintending  the  lirst  Sunday  school  with 
a  library  and  regular  organization  in  this 
county  for  4  years,  but  many  years  after  I 
learned  from  B.  F.  Harris  that  he  had  anti- 
dated  me  two  years.  His  Sunday  school  was 
held  in  a  little  church  on  his  farm  on  the 
Sangamon.  He  carried  his  library  to  his 
Sunday  school  every  Sabbath  in  a  red  haml- 
kerchief  and  back  to  his  house  at  night.  I 
carried  my  library  to  the  court  house  in  a 
candle  box,  in  my  then  new  rockaway  buggy, 
and  back  at  night.  The  four  years'  war  kill- 
ed off  and  scattered  our  thoi'ough  members, 
and  since  tlien,  oh,  how  sadly  changed  is 
our  once  humble  and  thorough  church  and 
Sunday  school.  1  wish  to  say  here  that  this 
was  not  the  beginning  of  all  the  good 
church  and  Sunilay  sciiool  work  done  in  this 
county.  It  would  be  difficult  to  over  esti- 
mate the  noble  work  done  by  our  venerable 
Father  Bradshaw  for  many  years  previous 
to  this,  but  in  consequence  of  his  iunnense- 
ly  large  circuit,  the  meetings  and  sessions 


123 


P{ONh:Kf{S   or  tH  AMP  AKIN  I'OUNTV. 


of  church  and  Sunday  school  work   were 
necessarily  quite  semi-occasionally. 

KEV.  A.   BKADSIIAW. 

I  find  from  the  old  niimites  of  Illinois 
Conference  of  M.  E.  church  that  in  liSo9,  in 
the  month  of  September,  1  was  apijointed  to 
Urhana  mission.  In  October  1  landed  in 
Urbana  with  my  family.  I  do  not  know 
what  had  been  done  about  a  Sabbath  school 
prior  to  that  time,  but  the  spring  following 
we  organized  a  Sabbath  school,  in  which 
Baptists  and  Presbyterians  took  a  part,  es- 
pecially Milton  Vance,  a  dry  goods  jner- 
chant,  but  the  Sabbath  school  was  under  the 
auspices  of  the  M.  E.  church.  It  was  in  the 
spring  of  l"vW  1  made  the  purchase  of  a 
church  lot  from  the  county  for  S3,  and  the 
sunnner  following  we  erected  a  church 
building  :^)x40  feet,  enclosing  it,  but  did  not 
finish  it  for  some  time.  The  Baptists  had 
no  church  organization  in  Urbana,  but  I 
think  they  had  in  the  Brumley  neighbor- 
hood. But  from  the  spring  and  summer  of 
1840  the  M.  E.  church  had  a  small  Sabbath 
school  organized  in  Urbana.  I  can  not  give 
particulars,  nor  can  I  say  at  what  date  the 
Baptist  church  organized  a  Sabbath  school 
in  Urbana  or  organized  a  church  in  Urbana, 
or  built  a  church,  &c.  i  know  the  little 
church  house  we  put  up  iu  1840  was  the  first 
in  the  county.  From  1840  to  18.50  the  Sab- 
bath schools  iu  Urbana  were  no  big  thing. 


OLD  SETTLERS'  MEETINGS. 

To  the  meetings  of  the  old  settlers,  where 
they  attempted  to  rescue  from  oblivion  the 
incidents  and  recollections  of  the  early  tlays. 
we  are  largely  indebted  for  the  successful 
carrying  out  of  the  enterprise  of  publishing 
this  book. 

A  immber  of  the  old  settlers,  feeling  the 
need  of  an  organization  of  the  people  who 
settled  this  county  anil  bore  the  brunt  of 
frontier  life,  and  desiring  that  the  history  of 
the  county  mighl  be  collected  from  the  set- 
tlers themselves  while  they  still  lived, 
assembled  at  the  court  house  in  Urbana, 
May  10,  1870,  and  were  called  to  order  by 
Thomson  K.  Webber,  who  nominated  Hen- 
ry Sadorus,  of  Sadorus,  as  iJiesidcnt,  who 
was  elected  by  acclamation.  .1.  S.  Wright 
was  tiien  elected  vice-president.  The  quali- 
fications necessary  to  be  an  old  settler  were 
as  follows:  '"Those  who  were  twenty  years 
of  age  in  1840  ami  resided  iu  this  county  at 
that  time."'  The  following  persons  then 
regi'^tcriMl  as  olii  settlers: 

Henry  Sadorus,  William  Sadorus,  J.  S. 
Wrigr.t,  T.  K.  Webber,  John  (i.  Robinson, 
Fielding  .Scott,  Stephen  Boyd,  John  Max- 
licld,  .\sah(d   Brewer,  .lain«'s  Clements,  Jos. 


Maxwell,  Paris  Shepherd,  Wm.  Kock,  Rot>- 
ert  Browntield,  John  Corray,  James  Myers, 
D.  O.  Brumley, T.  L.Truman,  James  Kirby. 
Abraham  Yeazel,  H.  W.  Dnillinger,  James 
Bartley.  B.  F.  Argo,  John  K.  Patterson, 
Hiram  Rankin,  David  Swearingen,  Samuel 
Mapes,  Thomas  Richards,  Micheal  Fire- 
baugh,  J.  J.  Swearingen,  F.  J.  Busey,  Har- 
rison Heater,  Joiin  R.  Brownfield,  Thomas 
Swearingen,  Wm.  Romine,  David  Argo,  B. 
F.  Harris.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Busey,  Mrs. 
Stephen  Boyd.  Mrs.  Bryant,  Mrs.  Wm.  Har- 
vey, Mrs.  John  Maxwell,  Mrs.  Sarah  Robert- 
son, Mrs.  Fielding  Scott,  Mrs.  Wm.  Rock. 

At  this  meeting  T.  R.  Webber,  James  S. 
Wright  and  B.  F.  Harris  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  prepare  a  constitution  and  by- 
laws for  a  permanent  organization.  T.  R. 
Webber  suggested  that  as  Archa  Campbell 
lacked  a  little  of  comine  within  tiie  rule 
and  in  consequence  of  his  long  residence 
and  thorough  acquaintance,  tliat  tlie  rule  be 
suspended  and  that  he  and  C.  F.  Columbia 
and  J.  T.  Everett  be  admitted  as  members, 
which  was  done. 

This  meeting  adjourned  to  June  1.5,  1870, 
when  it  again  met.  Tlie  committee  report^ 
ed  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  which  were 
adopted.  The  constitution  provided  for  a 
president  and  vice-president,  a  secretary  and 
treasurer;  an  election  was  held  and  resulted 
in  the  election  of  Henry  Sadorus  as  presi- 
dent, James  S.  Wright,  vice-president  and 
T.  R.  Webber  secretary  and  treasurer,  to 
hold  their  office  until  October  1871.  The 
meeting  adjourned  to  October  .5,  1870.  The 
next  meeting  of  which  there  is  any  record 
to  be  found  was  held  August  Ifi,  1882,  at  the 
fairground.  J.O.Cunningham  was  select- 
ed as  chairman  and  E.  Eaton  as  secretary. 
They  resolved  to  hold  a  general  meeting  of 
the  old  settlers  at  the  fair  ground  August 
29, 1882,  being  the  first  day  of  the  county 
fair,  and  J.  W.  Langley,  S.  II.  Busey  and 
W.  F.  Ilarily  were  ajipointed  a  committee 
to  prepare  a  program.  The  meeting  was 
held  August  29,  and  was  largely  attended. 
A  new  constitution  and  by-laws  were  adopt- 
ed, and  J.  O.  Cunningham  was  elected  presi- 
dent, E.  Eaton  s»!criUary  and  F.  B.  Sale 
treasurer.  Robert  Fisher,  J.  S.  Wri;iht  and 
S.  H.  Busey,  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
make  arrangements  for  next  meeting.  The 
next  meeting  was  held  in  Crystal  Lake 
Park,  Urbana.  June  2s,  1S8.S. 

This  was  the  celebration  of  the  semi-Cen- 
tennial  of  the  county  of  Champaign,  and 
this  meeting  was  in  every  way  a  success. 
The  old  .settlers  gatiiereil  trom  many  coun- 
ties and  gave  the  day  to  talking  over  the 
old  times  and  in  jogging  the  memory  of 
each  ollu'i'  as  to  many   laughal)le,   as  well 


PIONEERS   OF  CHAMPAIOK  COUNTY. 


124 


as  many  serious  incidents  of  half  a  century 
ago. 

J.  O.  Cunningham  invited  the  old  settlers 
wlio  had  been  residents  for  lifty  years  and 
over  to  come  forward,  and  J.  F.  Scoggni,  the 
piiotographer,  would  take  a  ijhotograph  of 
them.    Those  who  came  forward  were  Silas 
Johnson,  Rev.  A.  Bradshaw,  F.  J.  Busey, 
M.  E.    I}usey,  David  Swearineren,  Eleazer 
Freeman,  James  Browntiehl,   Edward  Ater, 
Mrs.  W.  I.  Moore,  Mrs.  L.  B.  Gunn,  James 
W.  Boyd.    Nathan     Ilaline.   James   Kirhy, 
J.    C.   Johnson,     Harrison     Heater,     Mrs. 
Malinda  Bryan  and  Mrs.  Emily  Scott.    After 
which  tlie  meeting  was  called  to  order  and 
lisU^n«»<l  to  an  address  of  welcome  by  M.  W. 
Mathews,    editor   of     Champaign    County 
Hkrai.d.    lie  was  followed  by  J.  O.Cun- 
ningham, who  spoke  at  length  on  matters 
pertaining  to  the  early  history  of  the  county. 
J.  C.  Sheldon  and  J.   S.  Busey,  also  made 
short  addresses  on  same  subject.   An  election 
of  otticers  was  held,  wiiich  resulted  as  fol- 
lows:    Hon.    S.    H.    Busey,  president;  E. 
Eaton,  secretary ;  F.  B.  Sale,  treasurer.    The 
next   meeting   was   held   at  Crystal  Lake 
Park,  June  1884.    The  meeting  was  called 
to  order  by  its  president,  S.  H.  Busey,  who 
delivered   an    address   of   welcome.    J.  O. 
Cunningham  then  read  interesting  letters 
from  A.  Snedaker,  J.  W.  Somers,  Archa 
Campbell,  James  H.    AVebber  and  W.  H. 
Somers.    Addresses  were  then  made  by  J. 
O.  Cunningham,  Hon.  O.  B.  Ficklin,  Rev. 
D.  r.  Bunn,  of  Decatur,  J.   M.  Dougherty, 
of  Fairmount,  Gen.  J.  C.  Black,  Henry  Sa- 
dorus,  A.  J.  Devore,  W.  H.  Drullinger,  Mrs. 
Moore,  Mrs.  Bryan  and  Dr.  S.  H.  Peabody. 

The  following  officers  were  chosen:  J. 
C.Sheldon,  president;  E.  Eaton,  secretary ; 
S.  H.  Busey,  treasurer.  J.  S.  Busey,  H.  M. 
Russell  and  Wiley  Davis,  executive  com- 
mittee. 

The  next  meeting  was  held  at  Crystal 
Lake  Park,  June  188,5.  The  forenoon  was 
spent  in  asocial  way  and  relating  incidents 
of  the  early  days.  In  the  afternoon  the 
meeting  was  addressed  by  Z.  Reynolds,  H. 
J.  Dunlap,  J.  O.  Cunningham,  W.  D.  Som- 
ers, Joseph  T.  Kelley,  Martin  Rinehart.  Rev. 
A.  Bradshaw  and  others.  J.  O.  Cunning- 
ham also  read  letters  from  David  Davis,  of 
Bloomington;  John  Wentworth,  of  Chicago: 
H.  W.  Drullinger,  Chester,  Nebraska,  and 
Archa  Campbell,  Grove  Springs,  N.  Y. 

The  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year  resulted  as  follows:  Col.  J.  W.  Lang- 
ley,  president;  L.  A.  McLean,  secretary;  H. 
M.  Russell,  treasurer. 

The  time  of  holding  the  next  meeting  was 
changed  to  July  29,  1886,  the  better  to  ac- 
connnodate    the  farmers.    The   attendance 


was  larger  than  usual.  J.  W.  Langley  de- 
livered the  address  of  welcome.  The  .secre- 
tary then  read  the  list  of  deceasetl  members 
as  follows:  Hon.  O.  B.  Ficklin,  May  5, 188(5; 
Jonathan  C.  Thompson,  Harwood,  July  4, 
188.5;  Jennie  C.  Kinnear,  Harwood,  May  31, 
1880;  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Condit,  Rantoul;  ISIrs. 
Lucy  Clements,  widow  of  James  Clements, 
July  28,  18S6;  Cyrus  Holmes,  Ludlow,  May 
7,  188(). 

F.  B.  Sale,  J.  M.  Harnit,  John  Roughton, 
J.  O.  Cunningham,  C.  II.  Galliou,  for  W.  O. 
Shreve,  and  H.  J.  Duulap,  reatl  histories  of 
their  townships  (which  will  be  found  iniblish- 
ed  in  this  book. )  The  election  of  otticers  for 
the  ensuing  year  resulted  as  follows:  John 
Roughton,  Rantoul,  i)resident;  L.  A.  Mc- 
Lean, Urt)ana,  secretary ;  Col.  S.  T.  Busey, 
Urbana,  treasurer. 

J.  \V.  Langley,  J.  O.  Cunningham,  L.  A. 
McLean,  Wiley  Davis,  Thomas  L.  Butler, 
Jos.  Peters,  Samuel  Craw  and  A.  L.  Lyons, 
were  appointed  delegates  to  attend  the  an- 
nual meeting  of  the  old  settlers,  of  Ver- 
milion county,  to  be  held  at  Georgetown, 
August  26,  1886. 

The  old  settlers  of  Philo  township  effect- 
ed an  organization  and  have  held  annual 
meetings  for  the  past  thirteen  years.  The 
thirteenth  annual  meeting  being  held  at 
Ridge  farm  school  hou,ee,  June  12, 1886,  and 
was  well  attended. 

The  old  settlers  of  Rantoul  township  or- 
ganized an  old  settlers  society  several  years 
since  and  hold  their  meetings  regularly. 

The  old  settlers  of  St.  Joseph  township 
held  a  meeting  in  Robert  Peter's  Grove, 
Saturday,  September  22d,  18S:^,  and  effected 
a  permanent  organization.  A  number  of 
persons  from  different  parts  of  the  county 
were  present  and  much  valuable  history  was 
gathered,  and  which  has  been  fded  with  the 
secretary  of  the  county  society. 


125  riONKKTiS   OF  (UAm^AlON  (H)UNTY. 


ERRATA. 


In  ttic  biography  of  'riioiiias  L.  Butler,  in  giving  names  of  chiklreii,  we  omitted  Eva- 
line,  who  married  James  Tlionipson,  and  Susie,  who  married  Aubert  Coiikey,  all  residing 
near  Homer. 

In  that  of  John  Kogerson,  the  name  of  his  old  partner  should  have  read  "N."  C.  Wil- 
son, and  the  name  of  his  eldest  child  should  read  Sarah  "Cantine."  Mrs.  Andrew  "Rupel" 
should  read  "Kus.sell."  He  and  his  ancestors  have  always  been  "Presbyterians"  instead 
of  "Episcopalians,"  as  we  have  it. 

In  that  of  Jciin  Browntiela,  in  the  second  paragraph  "1831"  should  read  "1832."    . 

In  that  of  John  M.  Spencer,  the  name  of  the  town  where  he  was  married  should  read 
Troy,  instead  of  Tracy. 

In  that  of  F.  B.  Sale,  in  speaking  of  his  children  it  should  read.  Charles  and  family 
are  now  living  with  his  parents.  James  W  lives  near  home  on  adjoining  farm.  Fannie  is 
married  to  J.  O.  Sayers  and  resides  in  East  Bend  townsliip. 

In  that  of  E.  Halherstadt,  grandfather  and  great-grandfather  on  mother's  side  were  in 
war  (tf  Revolution,  instead  of  that  of  1812. 


PI< INKERS   OF  (HAMrAIOA  COUNTY. 


126 


The  Champaign  County  Herald 


-IS  THE- 


wm^  t^mwi  wmms^w^m. 


It  is  Republican  in  Politics,  Wide  Awake,  and  Spares 

No  Expense  to  Get 

TME  BEST  TALEHT  i\^  ALL  DEP/^RTMEHTS, 


'\Tiidge  not  that  ije  he  not  Jirdged,"    l)iit    read 

what  others  saij : 


One  of  the  most  iibly  conclucted  country 
ne\vspni)ers  in  Illinois.— r?rk(((/()  Trihunc. 

Ahviiys  ii  clean,  liriKlit,  newsy  paper  imii 
ulily  edited.— C7iu(i(/o  littt i-Ucean. 

It  is  tlic  most  ably  conducted  country  news- 
paper that  comes  to  our  table.— iVeu'  Yi>rk 
Trihunc. 

The  cleanest,  brig-hest  and  neatest  newspa- 
per iniblished  in  Illinois.  Its  editor  knows 
how  to  sciueeze  an  enf)rnious  amount  ol  read- 
ing matter  into  a  small  space.— B/«7f  I'limcr- 
ojj'x  Ucmooui,  JS'ew  York  City. 

It  is  conducted  by  one  of  the  brijf htest  news- 
ijajter  writers  in  Illinois,  and  is  as  Kood  a  fam- 
ily newspaper  as  is  printed  anywhere.— /?idwm- 
opotis  Herald. 

The  Hek.-vlu  is  an  excellent  paper.  The 
people  of  the  county  ought  to  support  such  a 
paper  with  enthusiasm.— D((?ri))»c  News. 

It  is  a  credit  to  tlie  editors  and  the  county 
it  represents.— i'fUfoJi  Recnrd. 

One  of  the  very  best  county  papers  in  Illi- 
nois.—Sc/?Mjyie/'  Citizen. 

It  is  in  the  front  rank  of  journalism.— Pi((«- 
hurfj  Uhncrver. 

It  is  the  model  county  paper  of  IlHnois.— 
TaiihirviUe  RepuMlean. 

The  best  of  our  exchanges.  Any  county  in 
the  state  would  be  prouci  of  the  Hlhai.d.— 
Sullivan  News. 

It  shows  {ri"eat  editorial  ability  and  enter- 
prise and  is  the  model  e()\intry  newspaper  of 
the  state  of  Illinois.— iV7r)»i(ic(,'/;<i  Uidletin. 

One  of  the  brainiest  pai)ers  in  the  district.— 
Paris  Beacon. 

One  of  the  best  papers  in  Illinois.— Decatur 
RepiddiMH. 

One  of  the  very  best  country  newspapers  in 
Illinois.— A'flW^wfni  IndeiMmdeid. 

The  people  of  Champaijiu  county  should 
feel  proud  of  the  HvMxi.M.—EdwardsinlU  Re- 
puhlican. 

The  Urbana  Herald  stands  ahead  of  them 
all.— r()(o7io  Herald. 

It  is  a  whole  bouciuet  of  daisies.— /'(■(((■.v/mu'i; 
Democrat. 

At  all  times  one  of  the  best  local  papers  in 
the  state.— A'tU'anw  Courier. 


('liampaifin  county  shouUl  feel  proud  of  it.— 
Altamoid  News. 

It  is  a  credit  to  the  people  of  Champaign 
countj'.- Dteon  Smi. 

It  shows  more  enterprise  and  ability  than 
any  other  weekly  we  know  of.— Hot  Sprinos 
(Ark.)  News. 

It  takes  the  premium  as  a  county  newspa- 
per, and  is  a. magnificent  advertisement  of  the 
enterprise  and  thrift  of  Champaig'n  county.— 
Mason  Countii  Repuhlican. 
It  takes  the  cake.— Paji's  Repuhlican. 
It  is  ably  edited  and  neatly  printed.— C?(c>*t<;r 
'  Trihunc. 

\      Such  a  paper  is  only  possible  Ln  a  county 
I  populated  by  a  wide-awake,  enterprisinp-  peo- 
ple.—CVia/te.stoa  Plainilealcr. 
One  of    the   best  weeklies    in    the    state.— 
i  Bloominuton  Bulletin. 

j  It  is  the  leading-  paper  of  central  Illinois  and 
!  is  always  brim  full  of  news.— Tuscola.  Repxdili- 
[  can. 

I      As  a  family  newspaper   the  Herai.d  is  un- 
I  surpass(}d.— DoKi/Za.s  Count))  Review. 
\      It  Is  a  paper  to  be  proud  oi.—JacksonoiUe 
I  Jimrnal. 

I  An  ornament  to  journalism.— JV/dttooii  Jour- 
nal. 
I  The  most  enterprising  and  ably  conducted 
I  journal  in  central  Illinois.— (,7iri.s»ji(f»i^(/wniC(;. 
The  most  enterprising-  newspaper  in  the 
:  ?xa.tc.—<irernvilU  Advocate. 

One  of  the  best  family  newspapers   in  the 
i  state.— ('(K-d'/ioinc  Democrat. 
i      One  of  the  most  enterprising  newspapers  in 
;  the  state.— Podtiac  dazttte. 

It  eclipses  all  competitors.— /rof/HoiV  Times. 
I      It  is  a  clean  and  able  paper  and  one  of  tlie 
most  noted  newspapers  in  the  state.— JVfni«»i/i 
Blade. 

Its  editors  are  the  ablest  and  most  enter- 
prising lu'wspaper  men  in  the  state.— /JJ<(/i(oi/i 
Trihune. 
It  is  a  wide  awake  paper.— Je/i't  Record. 
Edited  by  enterprising  and  able  journahsts 
and  thami)aign  county  should  sustain  it  liber- 
ally and  heartily.— i/cw}/  Repuhlican. 


The  Herald  is  Pahli.shcd  (U  Urhana,  Illinois,  hy 


M.  W.  MATHEWS. 


I'lONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


129 


Second  Edition. 


The  following  pages  were  issued  by 
the  Champaign  County  Herald  August 
2C,  1891,  as  an  addition  or  supplement 
to  this  book.  The  familiar  faces  here, 
we  are  satisfied,  will  be  appreciated 
by  those  who  are  living,  and  their 
friends  who  are  in  the  first  issue,  and 
we  can  say  the  same  of  those  in  the 
supplement  in  regard  to  the  bio- 
graphies and  portraits  in  the  original 
book. 


Mark  Carley. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  Ijorn 
in  the  town  of  Hancock,  Hillsboro 
county.  New  Hampshire,  August  24, 
1795)."^  His  grandfather,  Joseph  Car- 
\ey,  was  born  in  Spencer,  Mass.,  in 
1718,  died  in  1810.  He  married  Sally 
Wasliburne,  sister  of  Elijah  Wash- 
burne,  Sr.,  of  Natick.  Mass  ;  she  was 
})orn  Sept.  14, 1729  ;  died  Jan.  G,  181 G. 
They  had  eleven  children .  His  father, 
Elijah  Carley,  was  the  youngest  child, 
born  in  Ware,  Mass.,  May  21,  1771  ; 
died  Fel).  11,  185(1,  at  Champaign,  111. 
He  married  Agnes  Graham,  of  Han- 
cock, N.  H.,  Sept.  3,  1795,  who  died 
in  1881  at  Felicity,  Ohio.  They  had 
ten  childicn,  two  older  than  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Carley,  on 
the  27th  of  April,  1880,  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Abigail  W.  Stevens, 
daughter  of  Silsl)y  Stevens,  of  Spring- 
field, Ycnnoiit.     Mrs.  Carley  was  born 


Jan.  7,   1810,   at   Ackworth,  Cheshire 
Co.,   New   Hampshire,   died  Nov.  12, 
1871,  in  Champaign,  111.     Mr.  Carley 
had  a  family'  of   eleven   children,  but 
three   now   living,    Mary    A.  C.  (Mrs. 
Kincaid)  Graham  and  Isotta  C,  young- 
est child,  (Mrs.   H.  W.  Mahan.)     Mr. 
Carley's   grandmother,    Sally    Wasli- 
burne, was  connected  with  that  num- 
erous family  of  Washburne's  who  have 
since  filled  so  large   a  space  in  State 
and  National   affairs  of  this  country. 
Some  of  Elijah's  elder  brothers — Mr. 
Carley's  uncles — were  soldiers  in  the 
revolutionar}'  war,  and   one  of  them, 
(Jonathan)  has  left  behind  him  a  sol- 
diers discharge  signed  by  the  hand  of 
Washington  himself,  that  is  now  care- 
fully preserved   among  the  papers  of 
the  family.  But  although  Mr.  Carley's 
father  was  too  yoimg  to   take  a  hand 
in  the  revolution,  he  and  one  of  Mr. 
Carley's  elder  brothers  (Hugh)  served 
in  the  war  of   1812,  first  in  the  drag- 
oons and  afterwards  in   the  heavy  ar- 
tillery, and   the   family   have  now  in 
their  possession  one  or  two  articles  of 
uniform  worn  by  the  grandfather  dur- 
ing that  term  of  service.     While  yet  a 
boy,  in  1810,   Elijah   Carley  removed 
fi-oni  New  Hampshire  to  Vermont,  and 
Mark,  11  years  old,  went  with  the  fam- 
ily, remaining  with  it  until  1816.     In 
1815,  he  commenced  work   as  an  ap- 
prentice  to   the   millwright  business. 
When  20  years  old,  the  spirit  of  self- 
reliance,  which  made  life  a  success  in 
after  years,  began  to  assert  itself,  and 
he  resolved  to   see  more  of  the  world. 
Accordingly,  in  1819,  he  went  to  New 
Brunswick.      After    remaining    there 
several  months,  he  concluded  to  go  to 
New  Orleans  by  sea,  and   about  the 
first  of  January,  1820,  sailed  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Penobscot  River  for  that 
destination.     While  off  Cape  Hatteras 
the  bow-sprit  of   the  ship  was  carried 
away  in  a  gale,  his  ship  sprung  a  leak 
and,  after  pumping  twelve  days  and 
nights,  he  succeeded  in    reaching  the 
port    of    Savannah,    Georgia,   where, 
after    stopping   for    a   few  days,   he 
shipped  as  a  sailor  for  Havana,  Cuba. 
After   spending   some   time,  and   his 
money,   in   Havana,   he    shipped   for 
New  Orleans,  where  he  amved  April 
24th,  1820.     On  reaching   the   mouth 
of  the  Mississippi  river,  in  his  voyage 
from   Cuba,  he  had  a  narrow  escape 
from  drowning.     His  vessel  ran  on  a 
sand-bar,  and  the  mate,  himself   and 


130 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


three  sailors  got  into  a  small  boat, 
which  was  capsized,  and  the  mate 
drowned.  Mark  was  only  saved  by 
clinging  to  the  boat  and  getting 
astride  its  inverted  bottom,  on  which 
he  drifted  for  several  miles  before  he 
was  taken  oft".  After  stopping  for 
sometime  in  New  Orleans,  he  went  to 
Lafourche,  La.,  and  commenced  work 
at  .f  1  per  day,  with  board,  at  his  trade 
of  building  mills  and  cotton-gins. 
Here  he  spent  his  summers  for  three 
seasons,  spending  each  winter  in  New 
Orleans.  In  1823,  he  went  to  the  par- 
ish of  Feliciana,  where  he  remained 
until  1837.  In  Louisiana  Mr.  Carley 
found  a  people  and  climate  suited  to 
his  taste,  he  continued  to  live  there, 
with  occasional  visits  East  and  North, 
for  a  period  of  17  years.  During  one 
of  his  visits  to  Vermont,  April  27, 1830, 
he  was  married  at  Springfield,  Yt. 
Locating  his  wife  in  Clermont  county, 
Ohio,  he  returned  to  the  field  of  his 
labors  in  Louisiana  to  accumulate 
something  for  his  future  support  and 
comfort.  In  1837  he  joined  his  wife 
in  Ohio,  where  he  purchased  5(X)  acres 
of  land  and  engaged  in  agricultviral 
pursuits.  He  subsequentl}^  added  to 
his  possessions,  engaged  in  farming 
and  boating  wood  down  the  Ohio  river 
to  Cincinnati  until  1850,  when  he  was 
attacked  by  the  prevailing  California 
fever  and,  in  the  spring  of  that  year 
started,  by  the  way  of  the  Isthmus, 
for  the  gold  fields  of  the  Pacific  coast. 
During  the  passage  from  New  Orleans 
to  Chagres,  owing  to  adverse  winds, 
the  vessel  stopped  at  (xrand  Camar 
island  in  the  Carribbean  Sea,  which 
he  found  inhabited  by  the  descend- 
ants of  the  old  buccaneers,  with  an 
English  resident  governor.  From 
Panama  the  vessel  went  to  Cocos  is- 
land for  a  supply  of  water.  While 
there  he  saw  chiseled  in  the  rock  the 
names  of  the  three  small  vessels  com- 
manded by  Captain  Cook  in  his  first 
voyage  around  the  world,  together 
with  the  day  and  mouth  of  his  land- 
ing. After  arriving  in  California,  Mr. 
Carley  soon  won  the  confidence  of  the 
miners  to  such  an  extent  that  he  was 
chosen  one  of  tlin  thnn^  judges  of  the 
mining  region,  about  (50  by  80  miles 
in  extent,  recjuiring  great  prudence. 
g(jod  judgment  and  discriniiiuition, 
where  no  statute  or  common  law  was 
in  force,  and  the  judge  held  in  liis 
hands  the   lives    and   property    of  all 


concerned.  He  remained  in  California 
and  Oregon  until  1852,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Ohio.  He  spent  the  summer 
and  fall  of  1852  traveling  through  Il- 
linois on  horseback,  starting  at  East 
St.  Louis  and  visiting  nearly  every 
county  in  the  State,  his  brothers-in- 
law,  the  late  B.  P.  Prather.  of  Somer 
to\\aiship.  and  David  Howse,  of  Cham- 
paign, being  his  traveling  companions 
a  part  of  the  time  and  Edjnund  and 
William  Davies,  of  Piatt  coxinty,  a 
part  of  the  time.  He  remained  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Buckeye  state  until  1853, 
when  he  decided  to  make  his  home  in 
Champaign  county,  l^eing  as  he  saw  it 
the  "garden  spot"  of  Illinois.  In 
August.  1853,  he  removed  to  Urban  a 
and  in  May,  1854,  to  what  is  now 
Champaign,  but  then  a  raw  prairie, 
dotted  with  onlv  a  farm  house  or  two. 
He  erected  and  occupied  with  his 
family  the  first  permanent  dwelling 
house  on  the  original  town  jjlat,  on  the 
ground  where  Wm.  Dodson's  residence 
now  stands,  on  State  street,  which  was 
afterwards  removed  to  Randolph-st. 
He  also  erected  the  first  grain  ware- 
house in  Champaign,  and  put  in  the 
first  steam  engine  to  operate  a  corn 
sheller  and  grain  elevator.  This  ele- 
vator and  cribs  were  burned  Aug.  24, 
1872.  He  then  built  the  Ijrick  agri- 
cultural warehouse  on  Main  street  and 
l)rick  livery  stable  on  Market  street,  in 
18(jl  brick  i-esidence on  Chuich  street. 
In  1857  he  purchased  lots  in  Tolono, 
and  erected  a  steam  grain  elevator — 
the  first  one  there  and  graded  and 
laid  the  rails  to  the  long  side-track  at 
his  own  expense.  He  also  built  and 
owned  two  large  residences  and  store 
building  there.  In  his  domestic  re- 
lations he  was  affectionate  and  indid- 
gent.  Two  of  his  daughters.  (Mrs. 
Kincaid  and  Mrs.  Mahan),  and  one 
grand-daughter.  (Mrs.  Weston)  made 
the  tour  of  Europe  at  his  recpiest.  In 
his  social  and  business  relations  Mr. 
Carley  enjoyed  to  an  unusual  degree 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  with 
whouj  he  was  connected.  When  West 
Urbana  (now  Champaign)  adopted 
township  organization,  he  was  its  iirst 
supervisor,  also  the  first  justice  of  the 
peace  elected  in  Tolono,  but  not  wish- 
ing to  ])e  l)othered  with  the  othce, 
never  qualified.  In  religion  he  was 
extiemely  unorthodox,  and  did  not  ac- 
cept any  theory  oi-  system  of  faith  that 
starts  out  witli   a  direct  assault  upon 


PIOMEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


131 


reason,  or  was  in  conflict  with  the  es- 
tablished truth  of  science.  In  politics 
he  was  eqiialh'^  pronounced,  his  maxim 
being,  '"The  wise  man  changeth,  the 
fool  never."  He  was  a  Clay  Whig, 
then  voted  with  the  republican  party 
until  1872,  when,  believing  that  the 
republicans  were  mismanaging  the 
government,  he  ever  after  voted  with 
the  opposition.  Mrs.  Carley  followed 
those  who  had  gone  before,  and  on 
November  14,  1871,  her  remains  were 
laid  to  rest  in  the  family  vault  in  Mt. 
Hope  cemetery.  Mr.  Carley  departed 
this  life  February  3,  1888,  at  his  home 
in  Champaign  and  February  5,  1888, 
his  remains  were  put  in  the  family 
vault  at  Mt.  Hope  cemetery.  Re- 
marks of  Rev.  I.  S.  Mahan  at  funeral 
of  Mark  Carley  : 

"Born  of  ^ood  lineage,  ho  was  possessed  of 
a  native  integritj-  and  honesty  of  character 
that  inspired  the  confidence  of  his  neighbors, 
and  gave  him  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  man 
and  a  citizen.  He  was  identified  with  the  en- 
tire history  of  the  city  of  his  adoption.  He 
erected  the  first  permanent  dwelling  house  in 
it,  and  watched  the  rising  of  every  house,  the 
improvement  of  every  street,  and  the  coming 
of  every  family;  and  here  at  his  death  the 
whole  citj'  mourns." 


A.    P.    CUNNIXGHAM, 

The  leading  druggist  of  Champaign 
rountv,  wa.^  born  in  Lanoaster,  Erie 
county,  N.  Y..  Aug.  11,  1882,  the  son 
of  Hiram  W.  and  Eunice  (lirown) 
Cunningham.  The  .same  year  of  his 
Ijirtli    his    familv  removed    to    Huron 


county,  0.  Judge  J.  0.  Cunningham 
and  Edwin  W.  Cunningham,  of  Em- 
poria, Kansas.,  are  his  brothers  and 
Orton  Cunningham,  (now  deceased), 
was  a  brother.  Hon.  J.  C.  Sheldon  i.s 
a  half  brother.  A.  P.,  remained  upon 
the  farm  until  20  years  old,  receiving; 
a  trood  common  school  education  and 
completed  his  studies  in  Oberlin  Col- 
lege. He  came  to  Illinois  in  1853: 
clerked  for  three  months  in  a  dry 
goods  s'ore.  He  occupied  the  position 
of  assi.stant  cashier  in  the  Grand  Prai- 
i-ie  bank  from  1853  to  1862.  In  that 
year  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  7()th 
111.,  Vol.  Infantry.  His  soldierly  qital- 
ities  were  soon  recognized  and  he  be- 
came second  lieutenant.  After  two 
years  of  hard  service  he  resigned  on 
account  of  ill  health.  He  took  an  ac- 
tive part  in  the  seige  and  capture  of 
Vicksburg.  After  an  honorable  dis- 
ehai'ge  he  entered  the  drug  business 
in  Urbana.  where  for  years  he  was 
among  the  brightest  and  most  success- 
ful of  her  business  men.  During  his 
residence  of  twenty-five  years  in  Ur- 
bana he  was  elected  to  several  offices 
in  the  city,  serving  two  or  three  terms 
as  elderman  from  his  ward,  was  also  a 
member  of  the  board  ofedncation  and 
was  twice  elected  as  mayor.  He  aided 
in  founding  the  Champaign  County 
Hekali),  of  which  he  was  an  editar  for 
about  one  year,  and  proved  to  be  pos- 
st;ssed  of  considerable  literary  talent 
that  would  have  insured  success  in  the 
editoiial  field,  but  he  returned  soon  to 
the  drug  business  and  located  in  Cham- 
paign in  1880,  in  which  he  had  spent 
more  tune  than  at  anything  else.  He 
is  to  day,  and  has  been  for  many  years, 
proprietor  of  one  of  the  neatest  and 
most  prosperous  drug  and  book  stores 
in  Centrd  Illinois.  His  trade  is  con- 
stantly increasing.  He  has  served  one 
term  as  treasurer  of  the  Illinois  Phar- 
maceutical Association  and  one  term  as 
its  president.  In  1855  he  married  Miss 
Ophelia  J.  Seger,  daughter  of  A.  W. 
Seger,  a  native  of  Connecticut.  Four 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  El- 
mer, George,  Clara  and  Ralph.  Mr. 
Cunning:ham  is  a  man  of  wide  inform- 
ation in  general  as  well  as  a  thorough 
business  man.  Interesting  in  conver- 
sation, cultivated  in  manner,  a  man  of 
most  pleasing  address,  he  wins  friends 
wherever  he  is,  whether  with  his  com- 
rades who  with  him  braved  the  dang- 
ers of  war,  or  among  the  members  of 
the  fraternal  societies  of  which  he  is  a 
valued  brother,  or  among  his  neighbors 
and    business    abquamtances,  he   is  a 


^ 


132 


1  KiXKKRS  OF  < HAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


prime  favorite.  Politically  he  is  a 
thorough  re{)ublican,  and  next"  to  his 
religion,  which  is  of  the  Presbyterian 
faith,  he  values  the  doctrines  of  the 
grand  old  party  which  brought  the 
nation  safe  and  undivided  from  the 
Southern  rebellion.  His  home,  on 
West  Washington  street  in  Champaign 
is  pleasantly  situated  and  surrounded 
by  all  the  comforts  that  make  life  worth 
living.  It  is  the  hope  of  the  Herald 
that  he  may  be  spared  for  many  years 
to  his  family,  bis  friends  and  to  the 
business  circles  of  the  enterprising  city 
in  which  he  is  a  prominent  business 
man  and  highly  esteemed  citizen.  He 
has  always  been  active  in  Grand  Army 
circls  and  is  the  present  commander 
of  Col.  Nodine  Post,  No.  140  G.  A.  R. 


Dr.  Wiu.iam  a.  Conkky. 

One  of  the  oldest  and  most  respect- 
ed citizen*  of  the  east  part  of  this 
county  is  Dr.  William  A.  Conkey,  who 
came  to  this  county  in  November. 
TS4M,  and  has  been  a  useful  citizen  and 
done  mu(th  to  bring  Champaign  coun- 
ty up  to  its  present  high  jiosition  as 
one  of  the  leading  counties  in  the 
state.  He  was  born  in  Charleinont, 
Franklin  county,  Massachussetts,  De- 
cember <),  1820.  His  father's  name 
was  Alexander  Conkey  and  that  of  his 
mother  Lucy  Mc(!ullough.  botli  of 
Massachusetts.  They  removed  to  Ed- 
g;ir  county,  Illinois,  in  ls:'.0,  wbei'e 
they  made  their  home.  The  subj(!ct 
of  this  sketch  clerked  in  a  stoi-c  iVoiii 


1832  to  1839,  but  having  always  had  a 
strong  desire  to  study  me  'icine  which 
increased  as  he  became  older,  in  1838 
he  commenced  the  study,  finishing  in 
1841  and  graduating  at  the  medical 
college  at  Louisville,  Ky.  In  1843  he 
located  in  old  Homer,  situated  then  on 
the  bank  of  the  creek  about  one  and 
a  half  miles  north  of  the  present  site 
of  Homer.  Here  he  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  and  soon  became 
known  as  a  skilful  physician.  He  con- 
tinued the  practice  until  1850,  when, 
being  tired  of  the  heavy  work  connect- 
ed with  it,  he  purchased  a  farm  a  short 
distance  west  of  Homer,  where  he  now 
resides.  Mr.  Conkey  said  that  the  vil- 
lage of  Homer  in  1843  had  less  than 
ten  families  and  in  the  present  limits 
of  the  township  not  to  exceed  nine- 
teen outside  of  the  village,  making  a 
total  of  about  20  families.  The  census 
would  have  been  130.  The  town  was 
first  built  near  the  timber,  for  the 
prairie  land  was  considered  as  value- 
less for  agricultural  purposes  when 
located  a  reasonable  distance  from  the 
timber,  besides  the  settlers  deemed  it 
very  unwise  to  erect  a  home  on  the 
prairies  where  they  would  be  exposed 
to  the  bleak  cold  winds  and  snow 
storms.  The  doctor  was  one  of  the 
iirst  to  brave  the  terrors  (?)  of  the 
prairies  and  open  up  a  farm,  but  his 
good  judgment  was  soon  admitted  and 
his  model  farm  was  soon  the  admira- 
tion of  every  one  and  he  demonstrated 
tbe  fact  that  the  most  fertile  ground 
in  the  world  was  the  black  soil  on 
the  prairies.  He  took  a  prominent 
part  in  the  removal  of  the  town  of 
Homer,  in  about  1856,  to  its  present 
site,  which  was  accomplished  during 
a  heavy  snow,  when  the  houses  were 
moved  out  on  sleds.  M.  D.  Coffeen  be- 
ing instrumental  in  having  this  done. 
In  May,  1849,  Dr.  Conkey  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  V.  Saddler, 
who  is  still  living:  is  an  excellent  wife 
and  mother  and  has  the  love  and  re- 
spect of  every  one  who  knows  her. 
Tbere  ha>  been  born  to  them  the  fol- 
lowing children,  viz:  Aubert  who  is 
married  and  is  a  farmer  near  Homer; 
Lucy,  at  home;  Bruce,  is  a  mail  agent, 
running  Irom  'J'oledo  to  St.  Louis,  is 
married  and  has  a  pleasant  in  Hom- 
er; Carle,  is  at  home;  Frank,  is  a 
dentist,  living  in  SpringHeld.  Massa- 
chussets,  and  lias  a  good  i)ractice;  Em- 
ma, mai-ried  E.  V.  Babb.  a  wealthy 
young  farmer,  of  Compromise  town- 
ship: Fred,  is  at  home.  In  politics, 
the  Doctoi-  was  a  Whig  in  older  days 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


133 


and  a  republican  ever  since.  He  has 
always  taken  a  prominent  purt  in 
matters  pertaining  to  the  public  good 
and  has  for  several  terms  represented 
Homer  township  on  the  Board  of  Sup- 
ervisors ot  the  county.  Although  Mr. 
Conkey  is  now  seventy  years  of  age 
he  is  hale  and  hearty  and  bids  fair  to 
live  for  many  years  and  enjoy  the 
beautiful  home  he  has  built  on  the 
former  bleak  prairie  which  is  now 
blooming  like  the  rose.  He  has  only 
JMO  acres  of  the  finest  land  in  the 
county  left  after  dividing  up  with 
some  of  his  children,  yet  he  has  suf- 
ficient to  keep  him  in  ease  and  com- 
fort should  his  life  and  that  of  his  es- 
timable v/ife  be  spared  for  a  quarter 
of  a  century. 


JuPGK  Calvin  C.  Staley. 
Judge  Stalev  was  born  near  Guan- 
dotte.  West  Virginia.  July  14.  1850. 
He,  with  his  family,  came  to  Urbana 
in  1854.  and  in  the  »ipring  his  father 
l)Ought  a  larm  on  which  the  University 
now  stands  and  liuilt  the  first  house 
west  of  the  mechanical  building,  where 
1  hey  resided  until  the  sprinar  of  1860, 
when  ihey  removed  to  their  farm,  now 
Staley  stal  ion.  Here  his  father  died 
in  180:3.  Calvin  worked  upon  the  farm 
while  receiving  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, working  a  part  of  the  time  for 
W.  H.  liomine  for  his  b  ard  while  at- 
tendinghigh  school.  Then  took  acourse 
at  the  University  of  Illinois  and  fol- 
lowinir  tliat  he  attended  the  Michigan 
Universitv.    taking    the    law    course. 


from  which  he  graduated  in  1877  with 
the  honors  of  his  class.     He  was  mar- 
ried in  November,  1882,  to  Isabella  S. 
Harwood,  daughter  of  Hon.  Abel  Har- 
wood.  of  Champaign.    She  died   Feb- 
ruary 10.  1888,  leaving  three  children, 
Isabella,  Eliza  and  Annie.    Judge  Sta- 
ley has  been  a  consistent  christian  and 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
Champaign  since  1882.     His  first  vote 
was  cast  for  the  republican  ticket  and 
has   remained    unswervingly    of  that 
faith  ever  since.     His  voice   has    been 
heard  in  almost  every  school  house  in 
thi-   county    in   favor    of   republican 
principles  and  candidates.  Upon  grad- 
uating in  1877,  he  formed  a   partner- 
ship with  Col.  Langley,  which  contin- 
ed  in  the  practice  of  the  law  alone  un- 
til June,  1890,  when  he  was  appointed 
by  Goyernor   Fifer,   county  judge   of 
Champaign  county,  to  succeed  Judge 
Langl  y.  who  had   resigned.     The  re- 
publican primaries  of  1890  resulted  in 
the  choice  of  Judge  Staley  by  the  re- 
publican party  as  its  candidate  for  that 
responsible  otfice.     He  was  elected  in 
November   and    ha     since   filled   that 
office  with  credit  to  himself  and  his 
party  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
the   members  of  the   bar  and   of  the 
people  having  business   in    his  court. 
He  is  studious,   careful,   painstaking 
and   faithful    to    his  trust.      He   has 
splendid   natural  abilities;    is  a  hard 
worker   and  will,    we   confidently  be- 
lieve, take  still  higher  position  at  the 
the  hands  of  his  constituents. 

Few  men  have  done  more  work  in 
the  way  of  public  speaking  for  his 
party  on  the  stump  and  in  other 
ways  than  Judge  Staley.  He  is  a 
fluent  and  convincing  speaker,  knows 
what  is  needed  by  the  people  and 
speaks  accordingly.  He  is  always 
w^elcomed  in  whatever  locality  he  is 
called.  He  has  had  to  fight  the  bread 
and  butter  question  single  handed, 
having  had  much  hard  experience  in 
this  line  when  he  was  attending  the 
University  of  Illinois,  as  he  then  had 
to  earn  his  own  support  while  pursu- 
ing his  studies;  this  has  in  a  great 
measure  tended  to  bring  him  into 
contact  with  the  world  in  a  very  em- 
phatic manner. 


134 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


"William  G.  Browx. 

Was  born  Marc-h  29.  1840.  in  Koser 
Coshocton  countj',  Oliio.  His  father's 
name  was  John  G.  Brown  and  was 
born  in  Massachusetts.  His  mother's 
name  was  Clarinda  Howe.  The}'  came 
to  Urbana  March  27,  1855.  William 
G.  aceompanied  his  parents.  He  at- 
tended the  pii))lic  schools  in  Ohio  and 
Url)ana,  and  received  a  good  common 
school  education.  He  farmed  in  his 
boyhood  and  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits  for  about  four  years.  When 
the  late  war  brolce  out,  he  at  once  en- 
listed in  company  K,  25tli  Illinois  In- 
fantr}',  serving  eight  months,  wlien  he 
was  transferred  to  Batterv  L,  Second 


Regiment,    Illinois 


Light 


Artillery, 


where  he  served  for  three  }'ears.  mak- 
ing three  years  and  eight  months 
service.  His  health  was  very  seriously 
impaired  in  the  arm}'  and  at  this  time 
it  is  onl}'  l^y  taking  the  best  care  of 
him.self  that  he  is  able  to  discharge  his 
duties.  After  his  return  from  the  war, 
and  partially  regaining  his  health,  he 
took  a  position  as  Deputy  Circuit 
Clerk,  which  he  held  for  nearly  nine 
years,  Ihen  eutereil  the  County  (Uerk's 
office  and  staid  there  about  nine 
j'ears,  making  eighteen  years  of  con- 
tinued work.  This  hnig  term  of  ser- 
vice in  the  court  as  well  as  the  tax  and 
probate  de))artments  of  the  county 
made  him  one  of  the  best  informed 
men  ill  matters  pertaining  to  these  de- 
partments in  the  comity.  Tlie  people 
recognizing  his  siijx'rior  ([iiiililical  ions 


and  also  appreciating  the  excellent 
service  Mr.  Brown  had  rendered  his 
country,  ehn-ted  him  in  Noveml^er, 
1888,  to  the  office  of  Circuit  Clerk,  a 
position  he  occupies  with  credit  to 
himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  with 
whom  he  has  business.  He  is  affable, 
accommodating  and  makes  a  popular 
officer.  He  was  married  April  12, 
18()T.  to  Miss  Harriet  A.  Wolfe,  Avho 
died  in  1882.  There  were  Ijoru  to 
them  four  children  :  Mary  A.,  married 
to  Orville  L.  Davis,  local  editor  of  the 
dailj'  Gazette,  Champaign  ;  Fred  G., 
an  archit^'ct,  residing  in  Chicago ; 
Inez  I),  and  William  Jay,  at  home. 
Mr.  Brown  is  and  has  been  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church.  In  ]Jolitics  he  is  and  always 
has  been  an  unswerving  republican. 


Chalmers  M.  Shkkfv 
Was  born  in  Hagerstown,  Maryland. 
His  fathers  name  was  Jaeolt  Sherfy,  of 
(Tettyshurg,  Pennsylvania,  of  Dutch 
descent  His  mother's  name  was  Amelia 
McNull,  of  London  connty,  Virtrinia, 
of  Scotcli-Uennan  parentage.  For  the 
solid,  sterling  qualities  possessed  by 
tlie  subject  of  this  sketch  he  is  indebted 
in  a  f^reat  measure  to  his  parents.  His 
l)arents  removed  to  Indiana  and  after- 
wards removed  to  Perrysville.  in  same 
state,  in  ls:'.L  In  1845  young  Chalm- 
•  Ts,  havint;-  formed  a  hijjfh  opinion  of 
tilt;  art  preservative,  entered  a  printing 
ollice  as  "devil."  He  worked  in  Per- 
rysville for  about  a  year,  then  went  to 
Terre    Haute  where    he   worked   from 


PIONEERS  OP^  CHAMPAIGN  COUNT V 


135 


1845  to  1851  and  then  returned  to  Per- 
ryville.     Not  liking  the  printing  busi- 
ness as  well  as  he  expected  and  an  ad- 
vantageous offer  being   made  him,  he 
entered   the  mercantile   business.     At 
the  end  of  a  year   a   proposition   was 
made  to  him  to  go  to  Urbana  and  take 
charire  of  a  general  store   there.     8o 
May  i:5,  1852,   he  arrived   in  Urbana. 
took  cliarge  of  the  store  and  showed 
that  he  po.ssessed  ability  in  this  line. 
In  a  .'^hoi-t  time  he  associated  with  him 
in  business  William  Gessie,  and  pur- 
chased   the   store   he    had    charge   of. 
The    firm     was    known    as    Gessie   <fc 
Sherfv  and  was  one  of  the  well  known 
firms  in  the  early  days.  In  1855  he  was 
elected  as  county  treasurer  and  asses- 
sor and  served  in    that  responsible  po- 
sition for  two  years.     The  Illinois  Cen- 
tral road  having  been    built  in  1854 
through    the    present    corporation    of 
Champaign,  he  saw  a  l>right  future  for 
that  city  and  at  the  close  of  his  term  of 
office,  engaged    there  in    tlie  banking 
business  in  which  he  continued  for  22 
years.     He  also  did  a  large  business  in 
real-estate    and  insurance,   being  the 
second  insurance  agent  in  the  county. 
In  1879  he  formed   a  partnership  with 
G.  C.  Willis,  of  Champaign,  as   Willis 
ii  Sherfy,  for  the  dealing  in  leal-estate, 
insurance   and  loaning  money,  which 
partnership  continued  un'il  January 
1,  1891,  when  Mr.  Slit-rty  purchased  the 
interest  of  Mr.  Willis  nnd  now  conducts 
the  business  alone.     He  was  united  in 
marriage  October    18,    18G9.    to    Miss 
Eunice  M.  i^each,  of  Champaign,  now 
deceased.    There  was  born  to  them  one 
child.  Fannie  Belle,  who  is  now  an  ac- 
complished youuL'  lady  and  the  pride 
of  her   father.     In    religious  matters, 
although   Mr.  Sherfy  is  not  a  church 
member,  he  is  a  constant  attendant  at 
the  First  Fresbvterian  church  of  Cham- 
paign. In  politics  he  is  an  unswerving 
republican  and  takes  a  prominent  part 
in  forwarding  the  interests  of  his  party. 
On   account  of  partial  paralysis  Mr. 
Sherfy  is  not  as  active  as  he  was  in  his 
early  days,  yet  his  long  years  of  exper- 
ience and  wide  extended  acquaintance 
give  him  a  business  second  to  none  in 
his  line   in   Central   Illinois.     He  is  a 
member  of  the  executive  board  of  the 
Champaign  County  Old  Settler's  Asso- 
ciation  and  is   energetic   in  rescuing 
from  oblivion  the  things  pertaining  to 
the  early  settlement  of  this  county. 


Samukl  VanBrunt,  QdAM^ 
Was  born  September  1,  1841,  in  Durke 
c(mnty,  Ohio.  His  father's  name  was 
Samuel  VanBrunt,  of  New  Jersey. 
11  i>  mothei's  name  "as  Melvina 
Brown,  of  Virginia.  Samuel,  -Ir., 
came  with  his  father  in  1853,  to  this 
county  and  located  in  Sidney  township 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  His 
education  was  obtained  at  the  public 
schools.  April  19,  1866,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Rathel  B.  Sampson, 
daughter  of  VVillard  and  Margaret 
Sampson.  She  was  born  in  1846. 
The  following  children  were  born  to 
them  :  Marcus  G..  •  ho  was  killed  on  a 
i-ailroad  near  Lexington,  Mo  ,  in  1888: 
Raymond  B.,  Gertrud  >  R..  Earl  I., 
Edgar.  Merton  C.  Chest  r  S.,  Clyde 
died  in  the  fall  of  1888.  Mr.  VanBrunt 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Christian 
church,  of  which  denomination  he  has 
been  a  member  for  the  past  eighteen 
years.  In  politics  he  has  always  been 
a  strong  republican  and  a  leader  in 
his  vicinity.  His  occupation  has  been 
that  of  a  stock  dealer  and  farmer.  He 
was  driving  oxen  Vireaking  i)rairie 
when  the  war  broke  out  and  he 
■promptly  answered  the  call  of  his 
country  and  enlisted  Company  I.  10th 
Illinois  Cavalry,  September  22,  18(il, 
and  was  mustered  out  January  (),  1866. 
He  was  careful  of  his  small  wages 
while  in  the  service  and  inve>ted  the 
same  in  land.  He  now  owns  lUiO  acres 
of  well-improved  land  with  very  valu- 
alJe  buildings.     His  home  is  one  of  the 


136 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


handsomest  and  most  pleasant  in  the 
township.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  and  grain  business  at 
Deers  station.  While  he  has  always 
taken  an  active  part  in  politics,  he  yet 
finds  his  time  so  fully  occupied  that  he 
has  no  time  to  bother  with  offices,  al- 
though he  has  filled  the  office  of  High- 
way Commissioner  for  two  terms  and 
has  been  school  director  for  a  number 
of  years.  Mr.  Van  Brunt  is  an  every 
day  sort  of  a  man,  has  the  confidence 
of  all  who  know  him  and  is  an  excel- 
lent citizen  and  neighbor. 


Mrs.  Margaret  Smith, 

Is  one  of  the  oldest  living  settlers  in 
the  county,  having  been  a  resident  of 
this  immediate  vicinity  for  near  sixty 
years.  She  was  born  December  13, 
1814,  in  Washington  county,  W'est 
Virginia,  at  Glades  Springs.  Her 
father's  name  was  James  Beatt}',  of 
same  county.  Her  mother's  name 
was  Hester  Fulton,  of  London  county, 
Virginia.  Her  parents  died  when  she 
was  about  seven  years  old.  She  was 
married  Januarj'  81st,  18B8,  to  Jacob 
Smith,  in  Sliell)y  county,  Kentuck}-. 
Mr.  Sinith  was  born  in  Shelby  county, 
Kentucky.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  came 
to  this  fJuuty  Ot-tober  1(),  1888.  They 
came  in  an  old  Virginia  wagon,  drawn 
by  oxen,  and  .settled  on  a  part  of  the 
farm  now  owned  b}-  the  t'amil}',  about 
a  itiile  east  of  Urbana,  where  tliej- 
built  a  log  cal)in.  Mrs.  Smith  says, 
"W(>  first   lived  in  this  i'al)in  with  two 


rooms  and  a  leanto  with  a  lynn  bark 
loft,  puncheon  floor,  no  windows.  We 
were  happy  and  thought  we  were  for- 
unate  in  having  such  a  good  house. 
Monday  after  we  came  the  first  town 
lots  in  Urbana  were  sold  at  auction. 
The  Brumley  school  house  near  us 
was  the  first  school  house  in  the 
neighborhood,  Andrew  Stephenson, 
John  Gardner  and  Chancy  Standish 
were  among  the  first  teachers.  Mr. 
Smith  built  a  new  house  in  1837, 
which  was  a  good  one  for  that  day. 
The  flooring  was  sawed  bj"  a  whip 
saw,  and  the  lath  was  made  bv  hancl, 
all  by  Mr.  Smith."  Mr.  Smfth  was 
school  director,  road  oyerseer,  etc.. 
but  did  not  care  for  ofiices,  found 
enough  to  do  to  attend  to  his  own 
lousiness,  which  he  did,  and  b}'  in- 
dustry and  good  management,  in 
which  he  was  ably  assisted  by  his 
wife,  had  six  hundred  acres  of  well- 
improved  land  all  paid  for  when  he 
died,  in  March,  1854.  Theliabits  of 
economy  and  thrift  have  extended  to 
the  children  who,  to-day,  are  among 
the  best  and  most  successful  farmers 
in  the  county.  There  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  the  following 
children  :  Elizabeeh,  who  is  at  home  ; 
Malinda  J.,  died  at  the  age  of  3  years  ; 
James  N.,  farmer,  living  near  ;  Eliza 
A.,  married  a  Mr.  Turner,  and  lives  in 
Woodbury,  county,  Iowa  ;  Sarah  Mar- 
garet, married  Mr.  Shroyer  and  lives 
in  Oswego,  Kans.;  William  H.,  a 
farmer,  living  in  Kimball  county, 
Texas  ;  Armstrong  B.,  a  farmer,  in 
Urbana  township  ;  John  T.,  died  in 
infancy  ;  David  M.,  a  farmer,  and  Ja- 
cob Mervin,  a  farmer.  Mrs.  Smith  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Urbana  for  over  30  years  and  is  an 
earnest,  faithful  christian.  She  lives 
quietly  on  the  old  farm  which  she  has 
seen  brought  from  a  wilderness  until 
it  now  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
Her  daughter,  Elizabeth,  and  her  son, 
Mervni,  and  family  siiare  the  old  home 
with  her,  and  here,  surrounded  by 
grand-children,  she  enjoys  thi'  fruit  of 
a  well-spent  life  of  industry  and  takes 
pleasure  in  looking  back  and  talking 
of  the  privations  as  well  as  the  je)ys  of 
the  early  days. 


PIONEFAIS  OF  CUAMPAKIS  (ULWTY 


iri- 


David  Rice. 
"NVas  born  iu  West  Virginia  April  7th, 
183G.  His  father  was  Shelton  Kice,  of 
East  Virginia.  His  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Brown,  of  near 
Richmond,  Virginia.  His  parents  re- 
moved to  Sadorus  township  in  March, 
1854,  when  that  part  of  the  county  was 
wild  and  almost  unbroken.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  attended  the  public 
schools  in  'S'irginia  and  obtained  a 
good  common  school  education.  Early 
in  life  he  commenced  business  for  him- 
self and  did  much  to  iiliprove  the  land 
which  he  now  owns.  On  their  settle- 
ment in  the  western  part  of  the  town- 
ship of  Sadorus,  they  had  to  come  to 
Urbana  for  mail  also  brought  their 
wheat  and  I'orn  to  the  mill  at  the  same 
place.  They  frequently  took  their 
grinding  to  Terre  Haute  where  they 
]jurcluise(l  their  gi-ot-eries.  Mr.  Rice 
was  one  of  three  young  men  who  pur- 
chased the  first  thresher  brought  to 
that  pint  of  the  county.  Tlie  machine 
was  made  at  l^ic(iiia,  Ohio.  For  many 
years  tlu'Si'  young  men  threshed  the 
grain  for  almost  the  entire  western 
part  of  tlie  county.  March  3rd,  1859, 
Mr.  Rice  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah 
Haines,  daughter  of  Elijah  C.  Haines. 
of  Sadorus  townsliip,  ftjrmerl}-  of  Ohio. 
Two  children  have  been  l)orn  to  them, 
viz  :  Carrie  M..  l)orn  in  18()(),  married 
to  J.  T.  Hutchinson  and  lives  in  Sa- 
dorus township  ;  Carrie  M.,  married 
to  Dr.  C.  M.  Craig,  a  prominent  phy- 
sician  and    druggist   of  Tolono.     Mr. 

28 


Rice  has  always  taken  a  prominent 
part  in  politics,  being  a  straight  re- 
publican. He  wields  a  wide  influence 
politically  and  at  the  same  time  com- 
mands the  respect  of  all  parties,  which 
was  evidenced  in  the  spring  of  1891 
when  he  was  elected  supervisor  from 
his  township  which  usually  sends  a 
democratic  represenlative.  Mr.  Rice 
is  the  owner  of  520  acres  of  well  im- 
proved land,  which  he  has  become  the 
possessor  of  by  dint  of  his  own  energy 
and  thrift.  He  has  recently  purchased 
a  cosy  home  in  Sadorus  where  he  takes 
life  easier,  yet  his  attention  is  fidly 
occupied  in  looking  after  his  farms 
and  stock.  He  being  considered  one 
of  the  best  stockmen  in  the  count}'. 


Hugh  Jackson  Robinson, 
Wa^  horn  March  28.  1888,  near  Bel- 
fast, Ireland,  and  was  the  seventh 
child  of  Robert  and  Maria  (Jackson) 
Robinson.  His  mother  was  a  first 
cousin  of  General  Andrew  Jackson, 
who  with  her  husband  named  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  after  the  uncle 
of  Andrew  Jackson,  viz:  Hugh  Jack- 
son, his  grandfather.  Robert,  the 
father,  emigrated  to  this  country  when 
Hugh  was  a  child  and  settled  in  Dutcli-^ 
ess  county.  New  York,  tvhere  he  at- 
tended the  public  schools  and  received 
a  good  common  schoo'  education  while 
being  trained  in  practical  farming. 
Robert  Robinson  removed  with  liis 
family  to  Fon  du  Lac  county,  Wiscon- 
sin, in  the  spring:  of  1849,  where  he 
l)nrchased  wihl  land  and  built  for  him- 


138 


noXERRS  OF  CHAMPA  KJS  COCMy 


self  a  home  where  his  earthly  labors 
were  brought  to  a  close  b}'  death  in 
June,  1852.  Young  Hugh  J.,  not  be- 
ing satisfied  with  the  country,  and  be- 
ing thrown  on  his  own  resources,  went 
to  Chicago  by  steamboat  and  walked 
from  that  city  to  Urbana,  Illinois,  ar- 
riving here  October  6,  lHr»2.  foot  sore, 
weary  and  lonesome,  with  I)ut  three 
dollars  and  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket. 
There  were  no  settlements  on  the  road 
except  along  the  timber  and  groves, 
which  were  few  and  fa"  between  and 
no  public  conveyance  of  any  kind. 
Young  Robinson  at  once  got  employ- 
ment with  J.  ife  J.  S.  Gere,  who  were 
tlien  getting  out  ties  for  the  construc- 
tiun  of  the  Illinois  Central  road.  He 
hauled  and  unloaded  the  ties  in  the  higli 
prairie  grass  where  Champaign  now 
stands.  In  the  following  spring  he 
went  with  his  employers  to  Bourlion, 
in  Douglas  county,  and  helped  build  a 
mill,  and  m  filling  a  contract  for  250.- 
000  ties  for  the  Central  and  Wabasli 
roads.  Becoming  a  partner  with  J.  S. 
Gere,  they  put  6,500  cords  of  wood  on 
the  track  of  the  Central  road.  He  was 
thusengaged  untill858when  he  bought 
his  first  piece  of  land,  which  he  now 
occupies  as  his  home.  He  was  married 
on  October  8,  1856.  to  Miss  Jane,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Jacob  Thrasher,  (jf  Geauga 
county,  Ohio.  Three  children  were 
liorn  to  them,  viz  :  Robert  T..  William 
Cullen  and  Maitie  J.  Robert  niaiiied 
Miss  Lillic  Kellnr.  Wm.  ('nllcii  married 
Mi.ss  Edith  St  van.  and  Mattie  vvasmai- 
ried  t^  William  R.  Miller.  The  wife 
and  mother  died  at  hei-  home  July  4, 
1874.  Mr.  Ri>binson  was  next  married 
to  Miss  Jennie  Hutchinson,  daughter 
of  Capt.  Scott  Hutchinson,  of  Calliuun 
county,  Michigan.  The  result  of  this 
marriage  was  a  son.  John  W.,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  four  and  a-half  years. 
Mr.  Robinson  is  and  always  has  been 
a  strong  democrat  in  polities,  but  was 
never  an  ofiice-seeker.  although  his 
))arty  has  honored  him  many  times. 
He  has  filled  the  oflfice  of  supervisor  of 
his  townsiiip  the  greatest  part  of  the 
time  since  the  county  adopted  town- 
slii|)  organization.  He  was  elected  as 
iliairinan  of  the  board  of  supevvisoj's 
in  iXiX)  and  filled  the  position  to  the 
satisfaction  ofjiveryone.  Socially,  few 
men  have  a  larger  number  or  warmer 
friends  than  he.  He  was  a  cliaiier 
member  of  J.  R.  Gorin  Lodge,  A.  F.  k 
A.  M.,  at  Sadorus,  and  served  as  its 
master  for  several  years.  In  religion 
he  was  raised  an  Episcopalian,  but 
takes  a  more  liberal  view,  and  alt  lion  ^h 


not  a  church  member,  favors  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Universalist  church.  He 
is  now  president  of  the  Champaign 
County  Old  Settler's  Association  and 
takes  a  lively  interest  in  everything 
pertaining  to  the  [terfecting  and  accu- 
mulating of  the  early  history  of  this 
count  V. 


RoBEKT    PeTEKS. 

One  of  the  oldest  and  most  re-pec^ed 
of  the  old  settlers  of  St.  Joseph  town- 
slii])  is  Robert  IVters,  who  has  been  a 
resident  for  over  sixty  year.--.  His 
father's  name  was  Willi.ini  Peters  ami 
his  mother's  Saiah  McNutt,  both  of 
Kentucky.  They  came  to  this  county 
from  Kentucky  in  18:)0  and  settled 
about  a  mile  south  of  old  St.  Joseph. 
At  this  time  there  were  about  nine 
hundred  Indians  camped  near  Mr. 
Peters'  farm.  He  said  they  hauled  all 
their  grain  to  Chicago,  gi-ew  their  own 
fiax  and  made  all  their  own  clothing. 
Robert  Peters  attended  school  in  a  log 
house  near  his  father's  farm.  Part  of 
the  time  the  school  was  held  in  the 
kitchen  of  his  father's  house.  The 
schools  in  those  days  were  subscription 
schools,  educational  advantages  being 
very  limited.  Mr.  Peters  was  mai'ried 
in  August.  184S.  to  Mary  E.  Sweai- 
inger.  who  was  born  March  -M,  18:>1. 
There  have  been  born  to  them  eleven 
chilnren.  viz:  Sarah  Catharine,  Isaac 
S.,  .John  II..  [''ranklin,  Susan  J.,  Eliza 
J.,  Thomas  J.,  Charles  R.,  Alta  lielle, 
William  A.  and  Mary  E.,all  1  ving  ex- 
cept Franklin.  Thomas,  (^harles  and 
.\lta  :  all  are  married  except  .lolm  II. 
Mr.  Peters  was  f  irnierl v  a  democrat  in 


I'luyKEUS  OF  I  IIAMI'AKJX  CorXTV. 


139 


pMitic.*,  but  voted  for  I>incoln  for  his 
second  term  and  has  voted  the  repub- 
lican ticket  ever  since.  In  relip:ious 
matters  he  is  very  zealous.  He  has 
been  for  a  number  of  years  a  consistent 
memher  of  the  Chri>;tian  church.  Mr. 
Peters  was  born  January  (S,  1827,  in 
Rush  county,  Indiana,  and  is  in  the 
sixty-fitth  year  of  his  a^'e.  He  has 
lived  in  St.  Joseph  for  nearly  sixty-two 
years  and  is  known  by  aluiost  every 
one  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county. 
He  is  very  proud  of  his  ruiiily  and  has 
ffood  reason  to  be,  as  his  children  are 
anionj?  the  best  and  most  thrifcy  citi- 
zens of  the  community.  "Uncle  Hob," 
as  he  is  familiarly  called,  has  a  repu- 
tation that  any  one  niiyht  envy.  We 
have  been  over  the  township,  are  well 
accjuainted  and  we  hear  every  nne  re- 
ferring? to  Uncle  Hob  as  one  of  the  best 
men  in  the  cdmiiy  and  he  is  honorably 
entitled  to  I  his  hijj^h  opinion  ot  his 
ueiyhbors.  He  lives  on  the  old  farm 
near  th(>  thriving?  town  of  St.  Joseph 
with  his  wife  and  in  a  few  years  will, 
if  spar,  d,  celebrate  their  ofolden  anni- 
versaiv.  Here,  surrounded  by  their 
children  and  ^rand-children,  loved  and 
respected  by  their  neitjhbors  he  and  his 
wife  are  pleasantly  spending-  their  de- 
clininii-  years  and  patiently  waiting 
for  the  time  when  they  shall  be  called 
to  theii-  home  aci'o^s  the  river. 


>rAHV    AXN    MoORE, 

\\  as  a  memln'r  of  one  of  the  first  fain- 
ilie.s  to  settle  in  the  ]ng  grove  and  l>e- 
fore  C'banipai<iii  (H)unty  was  formed. 
Her  father's  name  was  Thomas  Kol- 
and,    born     in     Ppnn.sylvania.      Her 


niother'.s  name  was  Baile}',  born  in 
Maryland,  but  aftenvards  removed  to 
Maysville,  Kentucky,  where  she  was 
married  to  Mr,  Koland.  They  came 
to  tliis  county,  Avhich  was  then  part  of 
Vermilion,  (jctobor,  1820,  and  was 
the  third  white  famih'  in  the  county. 
They  first  settled  at  the  old  salt  works 
near  Oakwood.  Vermilion  coiuit}-  and 
in  April,  1827,  moved  to  the  big  grove 
and  settled  about  5  miles  northeast  of 
Urbana.  Mrs.  Moore  was  born  in 
Mason  county,  Kentucky,  February-  7, 
1821,  and  came  with  her  parents  to 
this  coiuity  October,  1826.  She  at- 
tended school  in  the  old  log  school 
house  near  the  Brumley  farm  and  was 
one  of  the  scholars  who  were  in  the 
school  house  when  they  Ijai'red  out  A. 
Bruer,  the  teacher,  and  he  went  on 
top  of  the  house,  covered  the  chimney 
with  clajj-boards,  smoked  the  scholars 
out  compelling  theui  to  open  the 
door.  Mrs.  Moore  said  when  they 
first  came  the  country  was  full  of  In- 
diaus  and  some  settlers  were  mas- 
sacred within  10  miles  of  them.  They 
raised  their  own  flax,  also  quite  an 
amount  of  cotton  and  had  usuall}' 
good  luck  with  the  cotton  when  it  was 
not  killed  by  the  frost.  She  said, 
"My  father,  John  W.  Vance  and  a  Mr. 
Prince  staked  out  the  town  of  Urbana. 
It  was  a  cold,  raw  day  and  snowing 
some."  In  regard  to  the  smoking  out 
at  the  school  house,  she  said,  "I  re- 
member it  well.  There  were  there 
three  Trickle  boys.  Mat.,  Eliza])eth, 
Mar}',  Fovuit  and  Rod  Busey,  Jim 
Boyd,  Jim  Kirbj',  the  Rinehart  boys, 
the  Tnimen's,  Jane  Busey  and  Larkin 
Deer's  girls,  Jane  and  Francis.''  She 
said  they  used  to  have  their  log  rais- 
ings, merry  makings,  ttc,  but  that  she 
never  attended  but  one  dance  aud  that 
was  at  Robert  Trickle's.  She  went  to 
scliool  first  to  Mr.  Crane,  then  to  John 
B.  Thomas  and  last  to  A.  Bruer.  Mrs, 
Moore  was  married  near  Danville  to 
John  J.  Scott  in  1838,  He  died  in 
1854,  She  was  mai-ried  in  March, 
1850,  to  William  I,  Moore,  a  promin- 
ent mendiant  of  Danville.  The  wed- 
ding took  place  in  Urbana.  The  fol- 
lowing children  were  born  to  her  b}- 
her  first  husband  :  T.  W.  Scott,  who 
resides  in  Fairfield,  Illinois  ;  Callie, 
married  tc^  Wm.  O.  Corberly,  and  died 
in  1872  ;  Janies  R.Scott,  living  in  the 
northwestern  territoiy  of  the  British 
possessions,  and  Charles  G.  Scott,  who 


140 


PIONEERS  UF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


resides  with  his  mother  at  Dauville. 
Mrs.  Moore  is  a  strong  Methodist, 
having  been  a  meml)er  of  that  church 
for  near  fifty  years.  Her  husband, 
Mr.  Moore,  dying  several  years  ago. 
She  is  hving  in  Danville,  having  only 
her  son  Charles  with  her.  She  has 
recently  liuilt  a  handsome  residence 
and  has  plejity  of  this  world's  goods 
to  satisfy'  ever}'  want.  She  is  well 
known  by  the  old  settlers  of  both 
Vermilion  and  Champaign  counties 
and  respected  by  all  who  are  acquaint- 
ed with  her. 


John  C.  Rirkpatkick. 

Among  the  old  settler.^ of  the  county 
few  liave  contriliuted  more  to  improv- 
ing the  same  or  are  better  known  tlian 
•lolin  C.  Kirkpatri'-k  of  Urhana.  He 
was  l)orn  in  Piqua  county,  Ohio, 
Octoljer  25.  1<S25.  His  father's  name 
was.Iames  Kirkpatrick,  of  Ross  county, 
Ohio.  He  died  in  1871.  His  mother's 
mime  was  .lane  Porter,  also  of  Ohio, 
who  died  in  1848.  He  came  to  Url)ana 
in  1849,  and  in  October  of  that  yeai- 
married  Mary  C.  Busey.  second  dau^ii- 
tei'  ol'C'ol.  Mat  hew  W.  Busey  and  wife. 
Mr.  Kirkpatrick  jiurcliased  land,  part 
of  which  IS  now  occupied  by  tlie  city 
of  Cliampaign,  and  in  August.  18r>(), 
havinir  I)nilt  a  liousc  he  movcil  into 
it.  The  land  lias  all  lieen  laid  out  into 
town  lots,  except  a  Idock  which  \v/is 
the  residence  of  the  family.  Mr,  Kirk- 
jiatrirk  received    the  main  part  <ii'  his 


education  in  log  school  houses  with 
greased  paper  windows.  Although  his 
opportunities  in  this  direction  were 
limited,  he  seems  to  have  improved 
them  and  has  a  good  practical  educa- 
tion which  has  been  finished  by  his 
battle  with  the  world.  His  ideas  on 
the  topics  of  the  day  are  common  sense 
and  his  judgment  on  all  subjects  good. 
In  polities  he  was  first  a  Whig  then  a 
reimblican.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirkpatrick 
are  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren ;  Marion  F.,  Albert  James,  Eliza- 
beth, married  J.  R.  Dilling,  these  live 
at  May  view  :  Hattie  Belle,  married 
Charles  Barricklow,  junior  partner  of 
J.  C.  Kirkpatrick  &  Co.,  Urbana  ; 
Samuel  A.,  residing  near  May  view  ; 
Dr.  Charles  S.,  was  a  prominent  young 
physician  who  died  about  two  years 
ago  in  the  prime  of  manhood  and  his 
usefulness  ;  Jessie  C.  and  Fannie,  both 
reside  at  home.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  is 
justly  proud  of  his  children  who  are 
among  the  best  citizens  of  the  county. 
He  has  always  been  an  active  worker 
in  religious  matters,  having  been  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church  since 
1852.  He  is  a  strong  worker  in  the 
temperance  cause  and  has  by  precept 
and  example  exerted  a  wide  influence 
in  this  county.  He  lived  on  a  large 
farm  near  Mayview  for  many  years, 
and  assisted  largely  in  building  the 
Methodist  church  building  at  that 
place  and  served  as  trustee  of  the  same 
tor  many  years.  He  built  the  first 
house  in  the  present  limits  of  Cham- 
paign city,  before  that  town  was  laid 
out  and  before  the  Illinois  Central 
road  was  built.  He  hauled  the  larger 
part  of  the  lumber  to  build  his  house 
from  beyond  Covington,  Indiana.  He 
has  made  a  business  of  stock  raising 
and  fanning  an<l  lias  lieen  very  suc- 
cessful in  both.  He  now  has  over 
1,:^()0  acres  of  improved  farm  laml  as 
good  as  can  be  found  in  the  county, 
besides  town  property  in  Urbana  and 
Champaign.  He  has  a  pleasant  home 
in  Urbana  where  he  is  en)j-a<red  in 
business,  but  he  especially  enjoys  tak- 
ing his  estimable  wife  and  drivinjj:  out 
t(j  visit  his  children  and  grand-children, 
for  which  he  says  he  is  liviiiir.  He  is 
lii'^hly  respectei  1)y  all  who  know  him 
as  an  honest,  upright  man  ami  citizen. 


piuNb:t:ns  OF  <  HAMfAiay  cuiyTV 


141 


John  .1.  Hka. 
Mr.  Kea  was  hnrn  two  miles  west  of 
Mahomet,  111..  October  11,  1852.  His 
parents,  John  J.  Kea  and  Sarah  I*. 
(Henderson)  Hea,  were  lioth  born  in 
Lewis  county,  Kentucky.  They  were 
married  there  and  lived  on  what  is 
there  known  as  the  Rea  iiomestead, 
until  they  came  to  this  county  in  the 
tall  of  1849  and  settled  upon  the  farm 
on  the  Bloom ington  road,  where  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  He 
received  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion in  the  Mahomet  and  Farmer  City 
Schools.  He  was  married  at  Urbana, 
1o  Miss  Minnie  Kugate,  of  this  citv. 
They  have  two  children,  Thurston 
Wavne.  aged  8  and  John  Carlysle, 
aged  5  years.  He  clerked  while  a 
youth  for  T.  M.  Brown,  for  James  M. 
(!iraham  and  for  P.  H.  Scott  at  Ma- 
homet, 111.,  and  engaged  for  a  short 
time  in  business  lor  himself.  He 
taught  school  seven  terms,  and  in  the 
meantime  was  studying  law  and  had 
an  ambition  to  become  a  lawyer.  He 
spent  his  evenings  and  spare  moments 
in  studying  the  books,  until  in  March. 
18711,  he  began  t(^  read  law  with  Som- 
ers  (Sl  Wright.  Ht;  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  June  5,  1880.  The  class  then  ex- 
amined numbered  4(».  and  Mr.  Rea  was 
one  of  the  three  that  were  at  the  head. 
He  iuimed lately  formed  a  partnership 
with  Judge  J.  VV.  Sim,  which  existed 
for  two  and  one-half  years.  He  has 
since  continued  in  the  practice  alone 
and  with  uniform  success.  He  has 
one  of  the  best  libraries  in  the  county 


and  his  practice  is  constantly  growing 
in  volume  as  well  as  in  importance. 
When  Mr.  Cleveland  was  inaugurated 
president,  the  administration  recog- 
nized his  political  labors  and  power 
by  tendering  him  the  position  of  chief 
of  one  of  the  principal  divisions  of 
the  Second  Auditor's  office,  at  a  salary 
of  $2,000  and  later  the  office  of  Federal 
Attorney,  in  Indian  Territory,  both  of 
which  poritions  he  declined,  on  ac- ' 
count  of  his  growing  practice  and  of 
his  disire  to  succeed  in  his  profession. 
Politically,  Mr.  Rea  is  a  rock-rooted 
democrat  and  he  is  easily  the  leader 
of  his  party.  He  has  been  elected  four 
times  supervisor  in  a  republican  town- 
ship, which  sufficiently  indicates  his 
popularity  among  the  people  of  all 
parties 

As  a  lawyer  Mr.  Rea  has  exhibited 
marked  ability  and  has  already  at- 
tained a  wide  reputation  as  an  excel- 
lent judge  of  law  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  best  speakers  in  the 
county. 


Daxiel  D.  C.vxnon 
Was  born  in  Shelby  county.  Ohio, 
March  10,  1837.  His  father's  name 
was  Richard  M.  Cannon,  born  in  Ire- 
land. He  died  in  Ohio,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  ninety-two.  His  moth- 
er's name  was  Mary  Broderick,  born 
in  New  Jersev;  she  died  in  Ohio  in 
1865.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  lived 
in  Ohio,  where  he  received  a  good  com- 
mon   school    education.      In    August. 


142 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


1856,  being  then  nineteen  .years  of 
agre,  he  left  Ohio  for  the  west  and  de- 
cided to  locate  in  Urbana,  which  was 
then  a  in  new  countr}".  The  Illinois 
Central  load  had  only  been  built 
through  this  county  about  two  yeai'S 
previous  and  he  saw  splendid  oppor- 
tunities for  the  future.  For  several 
years  he  worked  on  a  farm,  then  at 
the  trade  of  a  carpenter;  then  for  sev- 
eral years  he  engaged  in  mercantile 
business.  When  the  civil  war  broke 
out  he  was  among  the  first  to  enlist, 
going  out  as  a  private  in  Company  I. 
in  the  Second  Illinois  Cavalry  and 
served  three  years.  In  l.S'xS  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Black,  of  Urbana.  Two  children  were 
born  to  them,  Ada  F.,  who  married  G. 
W.  Scott,  a  passenger  conductor  on 
the  J.  &  S.  E.  railroad  and  resides  at 
Eureka.  Illinois,  and  Jennie  E.,  who 
married  James  W.  Braddock,  a  pass- 
enger engineer  on  *he  C,  C,  C.  ct  I. 
railway  and  resides  at  Iniiianapolis, 
Indiana.  Mv>.  Cannon  died  in  bSHI) 
and  Ml.  Cannon  married  Miss  Aseneth 
Black  in  August,  1890,  of  Urbana, 
who  is  still  living.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Urbana  for  over  twenty  -  five  years, 
having  filled  the  office  of  deacon  for 
many  years.  Politically,  he  has  al- 
ways been  a  republican  casting  his 
first  vote  with  that  party  and  for  each 
candidate  of  that  party  ever  since. 
After  he  returned  from  the  army  he 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  constable 
and  has  made  an  efficient  .^fficer,  fill- 
ing that  office  with  satisfaction  to  all 
concerned  for  eighteen  years.  He 
was  appoinled  to  the  office  of  deputy 
sheriff  and  has  filled  that  responsible 
position  for  the  past  eight  years 
and  now  holds  that  office  under 
S.  C.  Fo.x,  the  present  sheriif.  His 
long  experience  as  constable  during 
which  time  he  was  more  or  less  con- 
nected with  the  sheriflT's  office,  and  his 
term  of  eight  years  as  deputy  makes 
him  one  of  the  most  efficient  officers  in 
the  county.  He  is  thoroughly  conver- 
ant  with  all  the  duties  of  the  office,  is 
acquainted  tlirougliout  the  entii'c 
county  and  a  hirge  part  of  central 
Illinois  and  is  almost  invaluable  in  his 
position.  He  has  the  reputation  of 
being  one  ol"  the  best  officers  in  this 
part  of  the  state  and  has,  during 
the  twenty- six  years  of  his  offi(-i;il 
life  ])roven  himself  to  be  possnsscd 
of  more  than  ordinary  executive  ability 
and  tlie  right  tii;m  in  the  right 
place. 


Mahlon  Glascock. 

Prominent  among  the  men  who  have 
developed  and  made  St.  Joseph  town- 
ship what  is,  is  Malilon  Glascock,  who 
was  born  in  Fauquire  county,  Virginia 
in  1815.  He  inherited  all  the  sturd}" 
cjualities  characteristic  of  the  old- 
fashioned  Virginian.  His  father  was 
named  Moses,  a  native  of  the  same 
State.  His  mother,  Rebecca  Bishop, 
was  also  of  old  Virginia  stock  ;  she 
died  in  1875,  Moses  only  living  until 
1829.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
moved to  Ross  I'ounty,  Ohio,  where, 
in  1845,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Jester,  with  whom  he  lived  hap- 
pily until  her  death,  which  took  place 
in  '1858.  In  the  fall  of  1854  he  re- 
moved from  Ohio  to  Illinois,  stopping 
at  Sidney  until  the  next  s})ring,  when 
he  moved  to  where  he  now  resides  on 
the  state  road,  in  St.  Joseph  township. 
In  18()1  he  married  Miss  ^larv  Gill,  of 
Urbana,  who  died  in  1801.  In  1865 
he  was  tigain  married  to  Mrs.  Mary 
Hankiu,  who  is  still  living.  ^Ir.  Glass- 
cock has  had  eight  children  to  help 
iuak(»  his  home  happy,  \iz.  IJurr,  who 
bves  at  home  and  has  charge  of  the 
large  farm ;  Allnirt,  wlio  is  dead  ; 
Acpiilla,  a  well-to-do  fanner,  living  in 
the  vicinit}'  ;  William,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy ;  these  wen>  children  hv  the 
first  wifi'.  Tlie  r(»sult  of  the  last  mar- 
riage is  Grant,  .losse.  Lida.  and  Alta, 
all  at  home. 

In    politics.  Mr.    (ilascock    was   an 


I'lONEERS  OF  (HAMl'AiaN  COUNTY. 


Vi3 


old  time  whig,  and  east,  his  lirst  vote 
for  General  Harrison,  and  at  the  last 
presidential  election  voted  for  General 
Benjamin  Harrison,  antl  for  every  re- 
publii-an  candidate  between.  He  at- 
tended the  great  Harrison  meeting  in 
Columbus,  Ohio,  in  18iO,  and  went 
from  Bainliridge  in  wagons  to  Chille- 
eothe  and  on  a  canal  boat  to  Columbus. 
He  has  always  been  a  strong  partisan 
and  a  staunch  friend  of  the  old  flag. 
His  sons.  Burr  and  Aquilla,  were  )x)th 
soldiers  in  the  late  war.  In  relig- 
ious matters  Mr.  Glascock  is  a 
]\[ethodist,  having  joined  that  de- 
nomination in  earl}'  youth.  He  has 
until  late  years  been  prominent  in 
pii]:)lic  mattm-s  and  represented  his 
township  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
for  four  years.  Although  advanced 
in  years  Mr.  Glascock  is  hale  and 
hearty,  has  a  large  and  pleasant  home 
on  540  acres  of  well-improved  land, 
where,  amid  peace  and  plenty,  he  is 
enjoying  life,  loved  and  respected  by 
all  who  know  him. 


'inarm',': 

'•■'  ///,'"ir.-^ 


Calvin  J.  Sabin. 

Among  the  l)usiness  men  of  Cham- 
paign no  one  stands  higher  for  moral 
worth  and  strict  l)usiness  integrity 
than  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He 
was  born  in  Hanover.  Chautauqua 
county,  Xew  York,  June  8,  1831.  His 
father's  name  was  El)onezer  Sabin, 
l)orn  in  Jamaica.  Windom  county, 
Vermont.     His    mothtM*s    name    was 


Jerusha  Gage,  of  same  state,  and  from 
whom  Calvin  J.  inherited  many  of  the 
qualities  which  have  made  him  suc- 
cessful in  social  as  well  as  business 
life.  His  parents  not  being  jjossessed 
of  an  overabundance  of  the  goods  of 
this  world,  the  education  of  Mr.  Sabin 
depended  in  a  great  measure  upon 
himself,  so  at  the  age  of  1(5  we  find  him 
working  during  the  day  and  studying 
at  night.  In  this  way  he  secured  a 
fair  education  which  was  in  every  way 
practical.  He  early  learned  the  trade 
of  a  machinist,  which  has  been  of  great 
service  to  him  in  his  biisiness.  His 
special  liking  was  railroading.  He 
went  to  Galena,  Oct.  29,  1854  and,  as 
engineer,  took  in  the  first  passenger 
train  from  Galena  to  Dunleith.  He 
followed  this  occupation  until  1866, 
coming  to  West  Urbana,  now  Cham- 
paign, and  for  several  years  was  pas- 
senger engineer  on  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral. On  quitting  the  road,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  agricultural  implement 
business  with  Mr.  Angle  as  Angle  & 
Sa]:)in.  He  finally  succeeded  to  the 
business,  and  has  since  Jan.  1,  1877, 
been  conducting  it  by  himself.  He 
has  the  reputation  of  having  the  most 
complete  stock  of  goods  in  Central  Il- 
linois. His  large  trade  and  wide  rep- 
utation would  seem  to  bear  us  out  in 
this  statement.  December  13,  1855, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Hannah  E.  Whitcomb,  of  Kansom, 
Mich.  There  has  been  born  to  them 
Irwin  C,  who  is  doing  a  prosperous 
imjalement  business  in  Farmer  City  ; 
Elmer  C  and  Frank  C,  firemen  on  the 
Illinois  Central  ;  Irle  C,  a  clerk  in  the 
trainmaster's  office  of  the  I.  C.  R.  R. 
at  Cliampaign  ;  R03'  C.  and  Nellie  I., 
at  home.  In  politics  Mr.  Sabin  is  and 
always  has  been  a  repulilican.  He 
does  not  interest  himself  in  public 
matters  very  much,  having  his  hands 
full  of  his  own  business,  ^et  is  an  al- 
derman and  finds  time  to  look  after 
the  interests  of  his  constituents  in  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  city  and  its 
growth.  His  3'ears  of  experience  and 
practical  ideas  of  lousiness,  make  him 
a  valued  citizen  and  no  one  occupies  a 
higher  position  in  the  community 
than  he. 


144 


PIONEEliS  OF  CHAMPAWS  (:ui■^^'J^)^ 


Mathew   E.  Stamky. 

Is  a  son  of  one  of  the  oldest  families 
of  this  county  and  who  came  here  be- 
fore the  county  Avas  organized,  and 
while  Chicago  was  yet  in  Vermilion 
county,  which  then  occupied  almost 
the  east  half  of  the  State.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  born  November 
16,  1835,  in  what  is  now  known  as 
Somer  township.  His  father's  name 
was  Ellis  Stanley,  who  came  from 
North  Carolina.  His  mother's  name 
was  Drusilla  Busey,  daughter  of  Mat. 
E.  Busey,  who  came  from  Kentucky 
to  this  county  in  1829.  and  settled  near 
Urbana.  They  were  among  the  first 
settlers  and  did  much  towards  improv- 
ing the  country.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  attended  school  in  the  old  log- 
school  house  on  M.  E.  Busey's  farm, 
also  later  attended  school  in  Urbana. 
He  hunted  deer  on  the  present  loca- 
tion of  Champaign  long  before  a  hou.se 
was  built  there.  He  assisted  in  plant- 
ing many  trees  which  now  make  a 
forest.  He  assisted  in  breaking  up 
the   viryin   ijrairie,  and    from    a    wild 


township.  Mr.  Stamey  was  married 
to  Mary  T.  Broshar  in  1871.  and  three 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz  : 
Frank,  born  December  <3,  1875  ;  Belle, 
liorn  November  1,  1878  ;  Daisy,  born 
May  11, 1882.  In  politics  Mr.  Stamey 
IS  and  has  always  been  a  republican. 
He  has  taken  quite  an  interest  in  pub- 
lic matters  and  has  represented  Hens- 
ley  township  on  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors, also  served  several  terms  as 
Highway  Commissioner.  He  has  also 
engaged  in  business,  but  has  given  his 
attention  mainly  to  farming  and  deal- 
ing in  real-estate  in  which,  on  account 
of  his  general  knowledge  of  the  county 
and  excellent  judgment,  he  has  been 
quite  successful  and  now  owns  825 
acres  of  well  improved  land  in  this 
county  and  about  the  same  number 
of  acres  in  other  states.  He  resides  at 
103  Prospect  avenue.  Champaign, 
where  he  has  a  pleasant  home.  He  is 
in  the  prime  of  manhood,  surrounded 
with  a  fine  family  and  consequently 
f'ujoys  the  blessings  of  life. 


.losHiw  Smith, 


waste  (jf  land,  seeminglv  too  ))leak  to      Was    Ikjiii    rluiie   "iit,    18H7,  in    Piqua 


live  upon,  there  has  grown  iq)  beau 
tiful,  well  improved  farms  with  fine 
groves  and  orchards,  and  thi'  wild  land 
is  the  most  productive  in  the  world. 
Mr.  Stamey  was  married  to  .Miss  Ida 
().  Gray  at  Kantoul.  March  28,  18()5. 
she  died  in  January,  1872,  leaving 
one  son.  William,  born  January  19, 
I8B8.  and    is   now   farming  in  Condil 


county,  Oliio.  He  was  the  son  of 
Westley  Sniitli.  of  near  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia.and  liliza  (Cisna)  Smith.of  Penn- 
sylvania. His  grandfather  foinierly 
owned  the  land  or  foi'ty  acres  of  the 
same,  on  which  Harrisbmg.  Pennsyl- 
vania, is  now  built.  T'he  ])arents  with 
Joshua  came  to  this  comity  in 
Vlari'h.  IS42  and  settleil  on  the  Sanya- 


rioNEELis  OF  (IIami'ai<;n  county. 


Vi5 


mon  River,  near  the  farm  of  Phil  Sey- 
mour.    Here     the     subject     of     this 
sketch  was   raised  attending  a  sub- 
scription school  occasionally,  until  he 
was  old  enough    to  work  for  himself 
when  he  worked  in  the  summer  and 
went   to   school   through   the  winter. 
He  afterwards     learned  the   trade  of 
blacksmithing  but  preferred  farming, 
which      he      followed      successfully. 
March  0, 18fi0,  he  was  iniited  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Martha  Dickson,  of  near 
Mahomet.     Three  children  have  been 
born  to  them,  viz. :  Eliza  Jane,  married 
to  Albert   Wright,    living   near   Ma- 
homet; Luella  Kate,  who  died  when 
young,  and  Clara  Belle,  who   married 
O.  M.  Brown,  living  in  Piatt  county. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist church  since   1858.     In   politics 
he  has  always  been  a  straight  republi- 
can and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  such 
matters.     He  has  served  as   assessor 
for  two  years  and   acceptabl}'^  filled 
the  office  of   school  director   for   the 
past  twentA'  years.     April  8,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  D.,  25  Regiment 
of  Illinois  Infantry.     He  was  hurt  in 
Jiuie   1862,   and  in  October  1862,  was 
discharged  on  account  of  his  injuries. 
In  the  early  days  he  haided  grain  to 
Park's   mill   in   Urbaua,   and  passed 
over  the  present  site  of  Champaign 
when  it  was  wild   uncultivated  land, 
and   when  there  was  not  a  house  be- 
tween Urbana  and  Sangamon.   Social- 
ly Mr.  Smith  has  a  wide  acquaintance 
and  man}'    warm   friends.      He   is   a 
member  of  Mansfield  Lodge,  No.  773, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  Urbana  Chapter,  No. 
80,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Urbana   Command- 
ery,  No.  16,  Knights  Templars.     He  is 
also  a  member  of  E.  Scott  Post,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,   at   Mahomet. 
In  all  of  the  societies  he  takes  a  livel}' 
interest.     He  has  a  farm  of  110  acres 
well  improved,  large  enough  to  occup}'^ 
all  his  time  and  affords  him   a   com- 
fortable living.     He  gives  his   atten- 
tion to  stock  raising  in  which   he   is 
veiy   successful.   Mr.  Smith  is  a  good 
citizen   and  neighbor,  attends   to   his 
own  business  and  enjoys  the  respect 
of  the  entire  commiinity. 


wm 


m 


J 

t^^ 


M'. 


t'vnS 


•M) 


«!»»*• 

Simon  Baltzell, 

Was  born  October  28,  183o,  in  Ohio. 
His'  parents  were  Georire  and  Lydia 
(Layman)  Baltzell,  of  Oliio.  The  great 
grandfather  of  Simon  came  from  Ger- 
many and  in  the  early  days  settled  in 
Kentucky.  They  crossed  the  Ohio  on 
a  raft.  It  is  claimed  that  the  great 
grandfather  was  the  first  white  man  to 
set  foot  on  Kentucky  soil.  On  the  site 
where  (Cincinnati  now  stands  he  built 
a  cabin  and  there  lived  and  died.  The 
grandmother  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketeli  was  chased  by  Ihe  Indians  so 
close  that  she  jumped  into  the  Ohio 
river  and  swam  down  some  two  miles 
to  a  settlement.  General  Jackson  was 
then  in  command  of  some  troops.  He 
soon  learned  her  story,  after  she  had 
recovered  sufficiently  to  tell  it,  and  at 
once  pursued  the  Indians.  The  father 
and  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
weie  both  bom  in  Hamilton  county, 
Ohio.  The  father  died  in  Oglaze  coun- 
ty, Ohio,  in  1885.  The  mother  remained 
a  widow  and  raised  the  family  of  seven 
children.  She  sheared  her  sheep,  carded 
and  spun  the  wool,  also  raised  flax  and 
wove  and  made  the  clothing-  for  the 
family.  She  also  made  all  the  shoes 
for  the  family  and  supported  them  un- 
til her  boys  grew  large  enough  to  help 
her.  She  removed  with  her  family  to 
Champaign  county  in  the  fdl  of  1856, 
and  settled  on  a  farm  six  miles  south- 
east of  Urbana,  adjoining  the  farm  of 
J.  S.  Powell,  where  she  died  in  1863, 
and  her  remains  rest  in  Mt.  Hope  cem- 
etery.    Few  women  were  more  devoted 


146 


PIUNEEUS  UF  CHAMPAIOy  CUiyTV 


or  made  more  sacrifices  for  their  chil- 
dren than  she.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  enlisted  in  the  late  war  Septem- 
ber 28,  1861,  in  Company  I.  10th  Illin- 
ois Cavalry  as  a  private.  He  went 
throuf?h  the  several  lines  of  promotion 
and  was  first  lieutenant  when  he  was 
mustered  out  at  Springfield,  January 
«),  18G().  The  old  tenth  cavalry  took 
part  in  all  the  principal  battles  and 
skirmishes  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river.  Mr.  Baltzell  was  married  Jan- 
uary 1,  1868,  to  Viola  M.  Powell,  old- 
est daugrhter  of  J.  S.  Powell.  One  child 
has  been  born  to  them,  Estelle  F.,  who 
is  at  home.  Mr.  Baltzell  was  a  black- 
smith in  Trbana  previous  to  the  war 
and  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Baltzell  & 
Sperry.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  this 
vicinity  since  185G,  with  exception  of 
the  time  he  was  in  the  army  and  in 
1859  when  he  took  the  Pike's  Peak  fe- 
ver. In  1868  he  removed  west  of  Cham- 
paign where  he  purchased  a  good  farm, 
has  the  same  well  improved  and  enjoys 
life.  He  is  a  good  citizen  and  is  hon- 
ored and  respected  in  the  entire  com- 
munity. 


Z:'/.::'^," '■ 


Hon.  .Iaiijus  ('ojivnoN  Siikm>o\. 
Was  I'orn  in  ('iarencn.  Erii-  comity. 
New  York,  Novemlter  2nd.  1827.  Hi-< 
parents  wt-rf*  Corydoii  ami  Eunice 
il)io\vn»  Slicjdoii.  Tlic  former  was  a 
native  of  New  York,  the  latter  of  Vt'i- 
iiioiit.  When  six  yeais  old  lie  lemoved 
to  (JhirksHeld.  Huron  county.  Ohio. 
Wlicii  about  21  years  old.  lit-  appriMi- 
tic.cd  himself  to  a  ship  Ijuilder  al  Hu- 
I'on.   Ohio,  and   for  about    four   vc;irs 


followed  that  bu  iness  there  and  at 
Milan  and  Cleveland,  Ohio,  becoming 
quite  proficient  in  ttie  art.  Often  when 
a  craft  had  been  completed,  he  shipped 
as  one  of  the  sailors  to  man  her,  and 
thus  became  something  of  a  seaman. 

He  received  a  good  common  school 
education  and  attended  Baldwin  Insti- 
tute at  Berea.  0..  for  one  year.  He 
married  Eunice  M.  Mead,  a  farmer's 
daughter,  who  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  Oberlin  Col- 
lege. Five  children  were  born  to  them 
of  whom  only  one  is  now  living,  Nel- 
lie, wife  of  Rev.  C.  B.  Taylor,  formerly 
of  this  citv,  now  located  at  Rantoul  as 
pastor  of  the  M.  E.  church.  Their  son, 
Clarence  C.  died  only  a  few  weeks 
ago.  and  is  sadly  mourned  by  the 
whole    community. 

Mr.  Sheldon  came  to  this  county  on 
May  11.  18r)3,  he  having  taught  school 
the  previous  winter  near  Periysville. 
Ind..  footing  it  all  the  way  and  carry- 
ing all  he  possessed  on  earth,  which 
consisted  of  a  S'^cond  suit  of  clothes,  a 
40-acre  land  warrant  and  $60  in  cash. 
With  the  cash  and  warrant  lie  entered 
40  acres  of  land  three  miles  south  of 
where  Champaign  now  stands.  The 
same  fall  he  sold  it  for  $•")  per  acre.  He 
sought  and  found  eniployinent  at  once 
with  the  engineering  corps  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  I.  C.  R.  R.,  then  being 
built.  He  received  one  or  two  contracts 
in  it>i  construction,  nut  of  which  he 
made  some  money,  which  he  saved  un- 
til he  got  enough  to  purchase  a  home 
for  himself  and  wife,  which  he  had 
married  as  before  stated.  In  185.")  he 
entered  the  law  office  ol  W.  N.  Coleras 
student  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
the  fall  term.  Abraham  Lincoln,  then 
practicing  in  this  court,  being  the  com- 
mittee appointed  to  examine  him.  In 
the  fall  of  186i  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Frank  (4.  Jaciues,  then  and 
now  of  Urbana.  which  was  very  suc- 
cessful from  a  financial  point  of  view, 
and  was  continued  until  lS(it)wheii  Mi-. 
S.  retired  taking  the  real  estate  branch 
of  the  business,  to  which  ho  had  given 
special  attention.  In  this  lie  was  en- 
tirely succ(>ssl'ul.  Iiivestinir  for  others 
and  occasionally  lor  himself,  he  has 
succeeded  in  iiecoming  tlit;  owner  of 
over  a  thousand  acres  of  well-improved 
land  in  this  county,  free  from  incmii- 
brance.  He  was  elected  to  the  Legis- 
lature in  1^<7(»  and  served  in  the  27th " 
General  Assembly,  being  the  lirsf  ses- 
•~ion  aft(>r  11iea(lopti(m  of  the  new  con- 
st itution  of  1.S7<>.  In  1.S72  he  was  elected 
as  Senator  finiii  this,  'he  •■'>i)th  district 


I'lUNHtUiS  III'  I  JIAMI'AK.W  (  (ilW'jy. 


147 


and  served  lour  years.  l)urin«j:  this 
time  he  was  succes.^ful  in  pretting  the 
appropriation  for  the  main  and  me- 
chanifal  buildingsof  the  Fniversity  of 
Illinois.  His  first  vote  was  tor  Zacha- 
riah  Taylor  and  he  was  in  the  republi- 
can party  when  it  was  fo)'nied.  He 
remained  a  republienn  until  ls88.  when 
he  voted  for  Clinton  l\.  Fi>k.  the  Pro- 
hibition candidate  for  President.  He 
was  the  prohibition  candidate  for  con- 
gress in  the  l.")th  district  in  1888. 

Mr.  Sheldon  has  long  been  a  consist- 
ent and  prominent  member  of  the  M. 
E.  church.  He  is  a  liljeral  contributor 
to  its  treasury  and  lives  uf)  toitsteach- 
ings  in  a  way  that  causes  all  to  regard 
him  as  truly  a  christian  gentleman. 

His  record  as  a  man,  a  citizen,  a 
christian  and  his  relations  as  husband 
and  father  are  without  a  blemish. 
More  need  not  be  said. 


EinviN  .Ti'STix  Udkll. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the 
foui-fh  son  and  eighth  child  of  a  family 
of  si.x  sons  and  four  daughters.  His 
father,  (rardiner  Udell,  was  a  thrifty 
farmer,  owning  and  cultivatinir  a  small 
farm  in  the  imvn  of  We>terloo,  Albany 
counlv.  New  York,  where  Edwin  was 
born  October  2:?,  18;W.  He  attended 
the  district  school  and  assisted  his 
father  on  tlie  farm  until  he  was  seven- 
teen, when  he  came  to  Hlinois  in  com- 
pany witli  an  elder  brother,  Calvin  (i. 
Udell.  After  lemaining  a  few  months 
near  Princeton.  Ibireau  county,  they 
loi.-ated  on  a  farm  (raw  prairie)  seven 
miles   northeast     of   Pontiac,    Ijiving- 


ston  county.     p{ere   he  had  the  usual 
experiences  of  settlers,  in  the  unbroken 
prairie  when  neighbors  were  far  away. 
Getting  lost  at  night  with  an  ox  team 
in    charge,   encountering    fierce    bliz- 
zards, and   being  chased   by  starving 
prairie   wolves,   are  among  his  early 
recollect  ons.     For   about  eight  years 
he  taught  school  in  Livingston,  Grun- 
dy and  Marshall  counties,  and  in  1864 
removed  to  Rantoul  where  he  has  since 
resided.    He  was,  upon  '  is  arrival,  em- 
ployed as  manager  of  the  Hlinois  Cen- 
tral  telegraph  olfice  at   Rantoul,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  until  Sept.  1, 
1890.  just  20  years.  In  186')  he  was  ap- 
pointed agentof  the  American  Express 
Co.,  which  position  he  still  holds.     He 
has   for   many    years  done  a  thriving 
Ijusiness  as  real-estate  and  collection 
agent.     He    was    married    October  4, 
1865.  to  Helen   Ostran  'er,  near  Otta- 
wa. III.     Mrs.  Udell  still  lives  and  has 
lieen  and   still  is  an   active  worker  in 
the  M.  E.  church  and  in  the  temper- 
ance cause.    She  is  also  a  member  of 
the   board   of  education.     Mr.   Udell, 
though  a  probationary  member  of  the 
M.  E.  church,  is  rather  inclined  to  Uni- 
tarianism  or  Universalism.     The  chil- 
dren of  the  marriage  are  Rudolph  S., 
telegraph   operator  at  Makanda,   111. : 
Eugene  V.,  who  is  assistant  railroad 
agent  and   telegraph  operator  at  As- 
sumption, 111. ;  Bertram  C,  a  lad  of  18; 
the   five-year  old  twin   boys,  John  L. 
and  Paul  L.,  and  a  bright  little  two- 
year  old  girl,  Ruth.    They  lost  a  boy 
and  a  girl  in  infancy  and  a  cherished 
daughter,    Etta   Minerva,    was   taken 
from   them  in   1881   in   her  fifteenth 
year.     He  is  a  straight  republican  in 
"polities  and  is  prominent  in  the  coun- 
cils of  his  party.     He  has  held  the  local 
offices  of  township    collector,   village 
trustee,    village  clerk  and   treasui-er, 
and  has  served  12  years  on  the  school 
l)oard.     In  1880,  President  Hayes  ap- 
pointed him    supervisor   of  the    fifth 
census  district  of  Illinois,  composed  of 
14  counties  and  233  enumeration  dis- 
tricts.    This  work  was  faithfully  done, 
as  Mr.  Udell  does  everything  entrusted 
to   Ills  hands.     He  has  been  town -hip 
treasurer    for  several  years,   and  last 
April  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace 
to    succeed    Daniel    Steele,    decea.sed. 
Mr.  Udell  has  good  literary  abilities. 
He  has  v.'ritten  a  great  deal  for  news- 
papers and  masrazines.     He  has  good 
poetic  imagination    and    has   written 
(juite  a  number  of  real    poetic  gems. 
Such  puldications  as    Potter's    Maga- 
zine. Hoi?ton  Pilot.  Youth's  Companion 


148 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


and  Chicagro  Tribune  have  published 
many  ot  bis  poenis.  Among  the  many 
good  poems  he  has  written  we  mention 
those  which  have  attracted  the  most 
marked  attention,  to-wit  :  "The  Clnck 
upon  the  Shelf,"  "Erin.  Why  Thy 
Tears,"  "December,"  "For  a  Son"s 
Album"    and  "Days  Agone.'' 

Mr.  Udell  has  lived  for  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century  among  our  peo- 
ple and  he  holds  to-day  the  high  regard 
of  all  good  people  who  know  him. 
Public  spirited,  pu-hing  and  reliable, 
he  has  been  prominent  in  all  depart- 
ments of  social  and  business  life  in  the 
communitv  in  which  he  resides. 


William  Sadohus. 

To  write  a  history  of  this  man  who. 
for  rver  (57  years  has  been  a  resident  of 
Choinpaiyn  county,  is  to  write  a  bis- 
t.ciy  ol  tbf  county.  Such  wo  cannot 
here  undertake,  but  must  (!ontont  our- 
selves with  a  biography,  briefly  sketch- 
ing the  incidents  of  a  career  which 
spans  iiKii-e  that!  three-fourths  oi' our 
national  life  and  whose  residence  here 
anti-dates  the  county "s  existence  as  a 
<()unty  by  nearly  ten  years.  The  name 
is  pi'obably  of  German  oi'igin  and  the 
family  descended  from  the  stock  of  that 
ppople  wliicli  early  in  tlie  last  centui-y 
tnok  posses>i(Hi  of  the  eastern  centi-al 
counties  of  Hennsvlvania.  an<l  whose 
jiresencc  there  is  attested  even  now  by 
the  thrift  and  well-earned  wealth  of 
the  "I'ciuisylvMnia  Dulcliniai).""  Henry 
Siidoiu>.  Iiom  in  17S:J.  and  Maiy  Titus, 
u.itis  cs  of  tliMl    -late,  were  fhfv parents 


of  William  Sadorus,  who  was  born 
July  4.  1812,  being  the  hrst  born  of 
the  family. 

In  the  spring  of  1817,  when  W^iUiam 
was  a  little  less  than  five  years  old,  his 
parents  embarked  upon  a  tlat-boat. 
built  for  the  purpose,  on  Oil  creek. 
Crawford  county.  Pa.,  and  .set  out  for 
a  home  ^n  the  west.  They  little 
thought  of  the  untold  wealth  that  there 
lay  beneath  tlieir  feet  already  oozing 
from  every  spring  and  bayou,  or  of  the 
world-wide  reputation  which  the  creek 
and  the  town,  subsequently  to  grow  up 
and  be  named  after  the  family  ot  Mrs. 
Sadorus.  wei-e  to  achieve.  They  knew 
they  were  leaving  a  cold,  unfriendly 
soil,  but  did  not  dream  of  the  "oil 
kings''  it  was  to  produce  nor  ofthefar- 
fanied  city  of  Titusville  which  was  to 
be  called  into  life  by  the  oil  which  the 
soil  contained.  A  few  weeks  brought 
the  faiuily  to  Cincinnati,  then  the  ris- 
ing western  town,  by  way  of  the  Alle- 
glieny  and  Ohio  rivers.  Here  they 
dwelt  two  years  and  then,  by  succes- 
sive moves,  reached  Connersville,  Flat 
Rock  and  Raccoon.  Ind.,  from  which 
latter  place  they  again,  in  March,  1824. 
set  out  for  the  we^t.  this  time  making 
their  ti'st  and  final  stop  on  the  bank- 
of  the  Okaw.  in  what  was  then  Edgar 
county,  111  This  point  chey  reached 
on  April  9th  and  set  up  their  camp.  A 
Ijrief  survey  of  their  surroundings  sat- 
isfied Mr.  .Sadorus  that  he  need  look  n"> 
farther.  A  soil  of  unexampled  fertil- 
ity, with  a  broad  expanseof  timber  and 
prairie,  welcomed  them.  Here  he  de- 
termined to  make  a  home  tor  himself 
and  his  descendants.  It  was  veritably 
a  land  of  promise.  This  last  move  was 
made  in  a  wagon  drawn  by  two  yoke 
of  oxen.  The  wagon  contained  the 
wife  and  mother  and  six  children  of 
whom  the  ^^ubject  of  ths  sketch  was 
the  eldest,  be  then  being  a  little  less 
than  twelve  year<  old  :  Henry  T.  Sa- 
dorus being  the  younges*.  a  babe  in  his 
mother's  arn)s.  .V  family  nnmed  Smith 
accompanied  the  Sadorus  family  and 
stopped  one  snmmer  in  the  new  home, 
and  then  moved  westward  leaving 
their  companions  alone  in  the  wilder- 
ness. The  nearest  neigh i)ors  ol'  the 
family  were  Runiel  Fielder,  a  squatter 
on  lands  two  miles  northeast  of  the  site 
ofl  ilxiiui,  and  .lame.-.  Hayworth.  an- 
other .-quatter.  on  the  site  ot  .Monti- 
cello.  I'aris,  Edgar  county,  was  the 
nearest  post-otfice  in  Illinois,  though 
Enyene.  Indiana,  was  nearer  than 
I'aris.  Thei-e  was  then  no  hecatur. 
.M(int  irelln.    Cliarleslon.    I   rbana      nnr 


PIONEElOi  OF  CHAMPAIOX  CiJUyTY. 


149 


Danville.  These  names,  like  the  coun- 
ties of  which  they  are  the  seats  of  jus- 
tice, were  yet  to  appear  on  the  map. 
A  simple  wagon  tent  did  duty  as  a 
home  lor  the  pioneers  until  after 
irround  had  lieen  broken  with  the  rude, 
wooden  mould-board,  iron  plow-share 
plow  brought  with  them,  and  some 
seed  put  in  the  ground  as  a  jirovision 
for  the  future.  While  living  in  this 
frail  home,  the  heads  of  the  two  fam- 
ilies with  all  the  members  except  Wil- 
liam and  a  Smith  boy  about  his  own 
age,  left  the  two  boys  for  foui  weeks 
in  the  tent  to  care  for  the  goods  and 
stock,  while  they  made  an  excursion  to 
some  distance.  The  boys  held  the  fort 
surrounded  as  they  were  by  wild  men 
and  howling  wolves.  The  temporary 
liomn  l)appened  to  be  set  up  wiihin  a 
few  rods  of  the  spot  which  afterwards 
became  the  permanent  home  of  the 
family.  Soon  after  setting  up  their 
home,  the  family  was  visited  by  Indians 
of  the  Kickapoo,  Delaware  and  I'otta- 
wattoinie  tribes,  remnants  of  which 
tribes  were  still  roaming  through  the 
country  and  hunting  wild  game.  Mr. 
Sadorus  well  remembers  Shemaugre. 
or  •"Old  Soldier."  as  he  called  himself, 
and  Wall  homing,  chiefs  of  the  Potta- 
wattomie  and  J)elaware  tribes,  who. 
with  their  followers,  often  resorted  to 
the  Sadorus  home  for  shelter  and  iood. 
These  people  were  always  treated 
kindly  by  tlie  family  and  in  return  re- 
ceived nothing  but  kindness  from  the 
wild  men.  Before  I800  the  Indians 
had  all  letb  this  part  of  Illinois  and 
were  seen  no  more. 

Before  the  Hrst  winter  set  in  the 
family  had  been  comfortably  housed  in 
a  cabin  of  s[)lit  logs,  well  cliinked  and 
daubed,  after  th(*  fashion  of  the  pio- 
neers everywhere,  but  though  the 
family  home  from  that  time  on  for 
many  years,  llie  cabin  did  not  have  a 
glazed  window  tor  six  years.  Before 
that  time  the  hole  in  the  wall  which 
answf^rnd  for  a  window  had  nothing  in 
it  to  kenp  out  the  cold  but  a  piece  of 
greased  muslin.  The  winter  found  the 
family  well  supplied  with  provisions, 
grown  upon  tlit-  sdil  or  caught  liy  the 
chase. 

The  public  lands  in  their  neigh bor- 
liood  had  been  surveyed  but  two  years 
and  were  not  yet  in  market,  and  the 
fainilv  were  sfjuatters  on  these  lands 
for  more  than  ten  years  before  entries 
w^re  made.  On  December  11,  1834, 
William  Sadorus.  being  then  22  years 
old,  entered  the  n^a  ne4  Sec.  1,  T.  17, 
R.  7,  and  his  father  entered  the  se-^  of 


the  same  section,  on  which  the  family 
home  had  been  located.  These  were 
the  tirst  entries  of  lands  oa  the  Okaw. 
Willi.im  Sadorus  now  lives  on  the  land 
so  entered  by  him  almost  half  a  cen- 
tury since.  With  no  people  in  this 
country  when  the  Sadorus  family 
came,  of  course  there  were  no  schools, 
until  by  the  coming  of  population  a 
demand  was  created.  This  event,  iiow- 
ever,  did  not  take  place  until  William 
had  passed  the  school  age.  All  the  op- 
portunities for  schooling  he  had,  after 
coming  to  Illinois,  were  received  at  a 
school  taught  at  Georgetown,  Illinois, 
where  his  father  sent  him  for  some 
months  when  a  young  man. 

Population  began  to  flow  into  their 
neigiiboi-hood  for  permanent  residence 
about  twelve  years  after  their  coming 
ard  slowly  increased  until  the  cominy^ 
of  the  railroad  era.  since  which,  as  if 
by  magic,  the  prairies  have  been  seized 
upon  and  made  to  .serve  the  uses  of 
man. 

On  the  nth  day  of  March,  ims,  Mr. 
Sadorus  was  married  to  Mary  Ann 
Moore,  of  Lake  Fork,  and  soon  after- 
wards made  for  himself  a  cabin  home 
on  lands  owned  by  him  near  his  fath- 
er's. Of  this  marriage  were  born  : 
(xeorge  W.  B.  and  Henry  W.,  who  live 
near  their  father  ;  Margaret  E.,  wife 
of  0.  C.  McConney,  of  Sadorus  ;  Sam'l 
S.,  who  lives  in  Nevada  :  Sarilda,  mar- 
lied  to  Thomas  Hixon,  of  Jasper  coun- 
ty, Mo.;  Sarah  S.,  Married  to  Charles 
Mills,  of  Pana.  111.,  and  John  T.,  de- 
ceased. Mrs.  Sadorus  died  about  1848. 
Subsequently  Mr.  Sadorus  was  manned 
to  Miss  Jincey  Ann  Brumley,  of  (Jr- 
bana,  from  which  marriage  were  born 
a  son  and  daughter,  both  of  whom  died 
young.  After  the  decease  of  the  sec- 
ond Mrs.  Sadorus.  Mr.  S.  a  third  time 
entered  into  the  marriage  relation, 
this  time  with  Mrs.  Charity  Hastings. 
One  daughter,  Ida,  has  been  born  of 
this  iTiarriage  who,  now  a  young 
woman,  is  at  home  with  tier  parents, 
(xeorge  W.  B.  Sadorus  entered  the 
army  in  1862  in  Co.  E.,  12')  III.  Reg  , 
and  came  out  in  1865  as  captain  of  his 
companv.  Henry  W.  Sadorus  enlisted 
in  (;<..  (i.  25  111.  Reg..  August  25, 1861. 
and  was  honorably  mustered  out  of  thr 
service  September  1,  1864. 

Mr.  Sadorus  has  all  his  life  been  en- 
gaged in  farming,  at  which  business 
he  has  realized  a  handsome  compe- 
tency. He  was  for  a  time  the  owner 
of  a"  small  stock  of  general  merchan- 
dise, one  of  the  tirst  stores  in  his  town, 
but  soon    retired  from   that   business. 


tbO 


PloyEERS  OFCIIAMPAIOA  COLWrY 


He  has  always  been  a  democrat  in  pol- 
itics and  believing  in  the  democratic 
maxim,  that  the  "otKce should  seek  the 
man  and  not  the  man  the  office,"  has 
never  sought  nor  held  office  above  that 
of  school  director.  For  many  years  he 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  and  one  of  the  active  promot- 
ers of  that  faith  in  his  neighborhood. 
ft  will  be  seen  by  those  knowing 
anything  of  the  early  history  of  this 
county,  that  Mr.  Sadorus  is  the  olde.st 
resident  of  (Miampaign  county.  His 
i-rother,  Henry  T.,  came  to  the  county 
by  the  same  wagon  but.  wher.  quite  a 
young  man.  he  went  to  (,'alifornia  and 
itook  up  his  residence  in  the  mountains, 
where  he  spent  fifteeii  years,  thus  re- 
moving him  from  this  field  of,coiripeT 
tition.  At  the  annual  Old  Settlers' 
Meeting  held  fortius  county  in  August. 
1890,  Mr.  Sadorus  presented  hiiiiself 
as  a  candidate  for  the  prize  offered  for 
the  oldest  person  in  citizenship  and 
without  a  question  bore  off  the  prize,  a 
gold-headed  cane.  He  is  now  vener- 
able in  years,  honored  by  his  neighbors 
and  highly  favored  by  his  Maker,  of 
whom  he  is  a  sincere  worshipper.  His 
children  live  near  him  and  the  evening 
of  life  promises  an  honored  close. 


M.\LIXn.\     B.MtTLKV. 

Was  the  oldest diniglitci-  of  Hirniii  i.nd 
.lane  (  Sweiiringen  i  Wankin.  They 
cauH^  to  this  (•(Minty  from  near  Mays- 
villf.  Kfiilurky.  ai)()Ut  1S2S  and  s«>tt!t'd 
cast  of  the  pre-ent  town  of  St.  .loseph 
and  in  a  few  years  moved  to  what  is 
known  as  the  IJankin  farm,  on  ihc  nhl 
state  road,  cast  of  old  St.  .loseph.  ileic 
ihey  lived  lor  maiiy  years  ami  no  one 
ill  ill!  llie  county  Ii.mI  a   wider  repnla- 


liun  for  liberality  in  helping  the  poor 
and  needy  than  Hiram  Rankin.  Here 
the  subject  of  our  sketcli,  who  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  near  Maysville, 
was  raised.  When  about  eighteen  years 
of  age_  she  was  united  in  mar- 
liage  to  Benjamin  Bart  ley,  whose 
parents  came  to  this  same  ])art  of  the 
county  aliont  1880.  There  were  born  to 
them  four  children,  viz  .  .Mary.  Eliza- 
beth .lane.  Catharine  and  i^ydia.  The 
youngest  dantrhter,  Lydia.  was  mar- 
lied  to  \'an  B.  Swearingen.  one  of  the 
leading  men  of  this  township.  One 
child.  Grant,  was  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Swearingen.'  who  is  still  living  at 
St.  .Tosep:!',  and  is  one  of  the  pro-porous 
business  men  of  the  county.  Mr. 
Bartley  died  and  Mrs.  liartley  after- 
wards niariied  Stephen  Boyd,  one  of 
the  old  settlers  of  Urbaiia  township. 
He  died  and  several  years  afterwards 
Mrs.  Boyd  wa>^  again  married  to  .lames 
Bartley  a  cousin  of  hor  first  husband. 
They  resided  near  St.  .Joseph.  About 
twelve  years  ago  Mrs.  Bartley  met 
with  an  accident  which  caused  her  to 
lose  her  life.  A  team  ran  away  with 
her,  throwing  her  and  others  from  the 
buggy,  so  injuring  her  that  she  only 
lived  three  days.  Mrs.  Bartley  was  a 
thorough  christian  woman  in  every 
respect,  from  early  life  taking  an 
active  interest  in  religous  matters  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  church 
when  she  died.  Mrs.  Bartley  inherited 
from  her  father  a  charitable  dispo.^i- 
tion  and  no  one  ever  went  from 
her  door  in  want.  A  person  who 
knew  her  for  many  years  said:  "Mrs. 
Bartley  did  more  for  the  poor  than  any 
person  in  St.  .Joseph  township."  She 
was  of  a  hopeful,  jovial  disposition. 
and  although  she  had  her  full  share  of 
sorrow  she  aimed  to  make  the  best  of 
everything  and  made  everyone '  feel 
better  for  having  the  pleasure  of  her 
acquaintance.  She  was  known 
throughout  the  county  and  every 
man,  woman  and  child  respected  and 
loved  "Aunt  Lin"  as  she  was  familiar- 
ly called.  She  was  a  neighbor  in 
deed  and  the  entire  community 
mouined  her  ilcalh  wlien,  she  -was 
called  to  hev  honie  liev(md. 


rioSHKliS  (jF  ClIAMl'AHi.X  COl'STV. 


151 


UojiKKT    ()j{K     P.OKTKRFIELI). 

Was  born  in  Anu.strougoountA,  IVnii- 
sylvania,  Janmirv  ],,1827.  His  father's 
name  was  Samuel ;  liis  mothers  name 
was  Nancy  Davis,  both  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. His  father  came  to  SidiniM'  in 
1863.  I)uying  town  property  and  a 
farm.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
sided in  Pennsylvania  and  attended 
the  public  schools,  receiving  a  fair 
education.  In  1852  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  mined  and  traded  in 
stock  for  nine  3" ears,  when  he  returned 
to  the  states  and.  in  the  fall  of  1861, 
came  to  Sidney,  wheie  his  l)rother, 
the  well-known  A.  B.  Focterfieid  re- 
sided, and  at  his  earnest  solicitation 
he  purchased  a  .  farm  in  section  26  of 
that  township  and  has  resided  tliere 
ever  since.  December  i,  18t)2,  he  was 
united  in  marriage,  at  Sidney,  111.,  to 
Elizabeth  Fram-e,  formerh'  of  Arm- 
strong county,  Pennsylvania.  There 
were  born  to  them  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Chaml)ers  Roland,  who  is  now 
and  has  for  sevi^ral  years  been  occu- 
pying a  ])osition  in  the  treasury  de- 
partment at  Washington  ;  Lilly,  Etta, 
Kezzie,  Koy  ami  -Jessie,  who  are  at 
home.  Mr.  Porterfield  is  justly  proud 
of  his  family.  His  liome  is  one  of  the 
most  pleasant  and  hospitable  to  be 
found  in  the  county.  Religiously  tlu' 
family  are  Methodists,  and  althougli 
Mr.  I'orteifield  is  not  a  member  of  the 
church,  he  gives  his  aid  and  support 
to  the  cansc.      In    politics   Wv.  I'orter- 


field  was  a  \\  liig  in  early  days,  but 
sa3's  his  trip  to  California  changed  his 
views  and  he  now  votes  with  the  demo- 
cratic party.  He  has  satisfactorily 
filled  the  position  of  Commissioner  of 
Highways  of  Sidney  township  and  in 
April,  1890,  was  elected  to  represent 
the  township  on  the  Board  of  Sup(>r- 
visors.  He  is  one  of  the  solid  citizens 
of  the  township  and  has  done  nuich 
in  his  thirty  years'  residence  to  im- 
prove the  county.  He  says  when  he 
first  purchased  his  farm,  the  country 
was  so  bleak  and  wild  looking  that  he 
never  thought  it  could  possibly  be 
brought  tf)  the  high  statt'  of  cultiva- 
tion it  has. 


"'iiSifl 


Andrew  J.  Rock, 

Is  a  son  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Champaign  county.  He  was  the 
fourth  child  of  William  and  Nancy 
(Beavers)  Rock,  who  were  natives  of 
Maryland.  The}^  removed  to  Indiana 
in  1831  and  came  to  Sadorus  town- 
ship in  1835,  where  William  Rock 
took  up  a  claim  of  forty  acres  which 
is  now  owned  b}'  A.  J.  Rock.  Here 
the  first  family  house  was  built  which 
was  constructed  of  poles.  In  after 
years  a  brick  house  was  built  which 
"is  still  standing.  Young  Andrew  took 
several  teams  to  Chicago  and  hauled 
the  liunber,  .shingles,  nails,  etc.,  with 
which  to  build  the  house.  The  brick 
in  the  same  was  made  by  Asa  Gere, 
assi.sted  l)y  H.  M.  Russelland  others, 
of  Urbana. 

lubject  of  our  sketch  worked 


tie 


152 


PIOy'EERS  OF  CHAMPAUjy  COUNTY 


on  his  father's  farm  until  niue- 
teeu  years  of  age  wlieu  lie  left 
home  to  look  around  a  little.  He 
returned  in  1852  and  was  married  to 
Miss  Mercy  Peabody.  They  went  to 
housekeeping  in  a  house  they  built 
on  ninety  acres  of  land.  In 
1859  Andrew  J.  sold  this  property  to 
his  father  and  purchased  2(K)  acres  of 
land  in  Jasper  county.  Missouri. 
This  land  being  wild  he  rented  land 
in  the  vicinity  but  was  driven  out  by 
the  reix'ls.  He  shook  the  dust  from 
his  feet  and  in  August,  18B1,  moved 
to  Fort  Scott.  Kansas,  where  he  left 
his  famih'  and  enlisted  in  the  (Jth 
Kansas  Cavalry  During  the  war  he 
served  as  a  scout  through  Kansas  and 
rendered  invaluable  service  to  the 
Union  cause.  His  term  of  enlistment 
expiring  in  18()4,  he  was  mustered  out 
and  returned  to  his  family  which 
had  been  made  desolate  bj'  the 
death     of      his      wife.    October      6th. 

mn. 

Two  childi'en,  Franklin  and  Nanc}-. 
were  the  result  of  this  marriage. 
Franklin  operates  an  extensive  rancli 
near  Leadville,  Colorado,  while  Nancy 
is  happily  married  to  John  Mattox.  a 
farmer  of  Sadorus  township.  ]\lr. 
Rock  was  again  united  in  marriage  to 
Mrs.  Martha  ( Merrick )  Quick,  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Lucinda  Merrick,  of 
New  York  state.  Mr.  Kock  and  his 
family  returned  to  his  old  home  in 
this  county  where  he  spent  the  winter 
of  1864  and  the  following  fall  built  a 
handsome  brick  residence  opposite 
the  home  of  his  father  and  where  he 
now  resides.  He  went  to  Kansas  again 
in  1867  and  purchased  a  quarter  section 
of  land  and  engaged  in  stock  raising 
for  six  years.  In  I86i(  his  wife  died, 
leaving  two  daughters,  Harriet  and 
Ida.  Harriet  is  now  the  wife  of  Orny 
Plat,  a  farmer  of  Sadorus  townsliip. 
Ida  being  at  home.  Mr.  Hock  was 
again  married  August  b"),  1870.  to 
Miss  i'^lizabeth  liurkliart.  of  Kansas. 
'I'liey  resided  thereuntil  1871  and  then 
returned  to  his  present  home  in  llliii 
(lis. 

His  wife  (lii'd  in  1871),  leaving 
Mertie.  John  H..  Lulu  and  Maude  ail 
at  tioMie.  .Mr.  Hock  was  married 
again  in  the  fall  of  188.")  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  (iriltin,  daughtei-  of  iiev. 
and  Mrs.  .Natiian  (irilliii.  She  was 
hoiii  ill  Lal-'avette  coiuitv,  Missouri, 
ill     I8|S.       His    wife    is    a    prominent 


member  of  the  Baptist  church  of 
Sadorus  and  an  energetic  worker. 
Mr.  Kock  having  been  a  resident  for 
over  fifty-six  years  has  a  wide  ac- 
quaintance and  is  considered  one  of 
the  solid  citizens  and  farmers  of  that 
part  of  the  county.  In  politics  he  is 
a  democrat,  what  is  known'  as  a  war 
democrat.  He  is  a  fair  man,  a  good 
husband  and  father,  and  wields  a 
large  influence  for  goo<l  in  the  com- 
nuuiity  where  he  has  so  long  resided. 
He  lias  near  five  hundred  acres  of 
well-improved  land  on  which  he  re- 
sides and  he  very  pleasantly  employs 
his  time  in  looking  after  his  farming 
interests  and  enjoying  the  comforts  of 
his  home,  wliich  is  one  of  the  happie.st 
and  pleasantest  in  the  county. 


'  ■'■'':.mi''i'""'J"ii''' 
LlNPSKV    CoKP.I.KV, 

Is  one  of  the  proiiiiiieiit  old  settlers, 
large  land  owners  and  farmers  of 
North  Champaign  county.  He  was 
born  in  (ireen  county.  I'ennsylvania. 
His  j)aients  were  \\  illiain  and  Hebec- 
ca  (Stephens)  Corbky,  iioth  of  Cireen 
county,  Pennsylvania.  The  father 
died  ill  1875  and  the  mother  in  1855. 
The  snl)ject  of  this  si;etch  caiu(>  to 
this  county  in  l'\'briiaiv,  185.').  an<l 
settled  in  Kerr  townslii]^.  Thet'ounty 
at  that  time  was  wild  and  unbroken, 
seemingly  too  much  of  a  wilderness  to 
ever  be  cultiv;ited  and  too  far  from 
nuirket.  Mr.  Corblev  is  a  man  of 
nerve  and  plenty    of  grit  .-iinl  nothing" 


I'lnyEKiis  of  I  iiAMi'Mi:.\  (in  wry 


1 5;  J 


daunted,  lu'  sot  forward  witli  the 
work,  purchased  a  large  tract  of  laud, 
and  in  a  few  years  made  a  f;reat 
change.  Other  families  moved  in.  the 
township  was  gradually'  settled  and  it 
is  now  considered  the  finest  farming 
and  stock  raising  township  in  the 
State.  KoUing  prairie,  flowing  wells 
and  productive  soil  are  some  of  the 
important  features.  Mr.  Corblej'  was 
married  at  Danville,  February  24, 
185(3.  to  Sarah  Wood,  who  died  in  186(5. 
He  was  married  again  in  18(58  to  Mary 
A.  School,  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania. 
The  following  children  have  been  born 
to  them,  viz  :  Henry  L.,  a  farmer  of 
Harwood  township  :  AV.  Sherman,  who 
resides  in  Button  township,  Ford 
county  ;  James  L.,  residing  in  Kerr 
township  ;  Freddie  M.,  Laura  F.  and 
Evaline,  at  home.  Mr.  Corbie}'  has 
been  an  active  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist church  from  earlv  youth  and  has 
done  much  to  forward  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion in  his  part  of  the  county.  In 
politics  he  is  a  straight  republican  and 
has  been  from  the  formation  of  the 
part}'.  He  represented  Kerr  township 
on  the  board  of  supervisors  for  eleven 
years  and  through  his  influence  much 
was  done  towards  making  roads, 
bridges  and  in  opening  up  the  town- 
ship. He  has  given  the  matter  of 
farming  and  stock  raising  his  per- 
sonal attention  and  has  been  quite 
successful.  He  now  has  al:)out  1(5(X) 
acres  of  improved  laud  in  Champaign 
and  Ford  counties.  He  has  a  hand- 
some residence  in  Faxton,  where  he 
makes  his  home.  He  is  proud  of  his 
family  and  is  giving  his  children  ev- 
ery advantage  of  education.  He  is  a 
matter  of  fact  man,  has  amassed  his 
fortune  by  hard  work  and  i-lose  atten- 
tion to  business.  He  has  many  friends 
throughout  this  part  of  the  state  and 
is  enjoying  the  reward  of  an  active  life 
and  a  consciousness  of  having  con- 
tributed in  a  large  measure  to  the 
well  being  and  prosperity  of  the  north 
part  of  the  county. 


John  Colvix. 

Mas  born  in  Hilltown,  county  Downe, 
Ireland,  December  24, 1824.  His  par- 
ents were  Robert  and  Martha  (Mc- 
Clune)  Colvin.  They  came  to  this 
country  iu  1842,  from  Ireland,  and  set- 
tled near  Lexington,  Scott  county, 
Indiana.  The  mother  died  there. 
The  father  accompanied  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  to  Champaign  county  in 
April.  1866,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Tolono.  Mr.  Colvin  received  a  good 
common  school  education  in  the  Hill- 
town  school  in  Ireland.  He  was  mar- 
ried at  Lexington,  Scott  county,  In- 
diana, in  1847,  to  Catharine  Gobin 
She  died,  and  w'as  married  the  second 
time  at  the  same  place  to  Jane  Laugh- 
ran  in  1862,  who  still  lives.  There 
were  eight  children  born  liy  the  first 
marriage,  three  died  in  infancy  and 
five  are  still  living.  Martha  A.,  the 
oldest  daughter,  married  Cap.  E.  A. 
(rardin  and  resides  in  St.  Paul,  Minn. 
May  J.,  second  daughter,  married  B. 
B.  Salsbury  and  resides  in  St.  Paul. 
John  Mc,  the  oldest  son,  resides  in 
St.  Paul.  Thomas  J.,  second  .son,  re- 
sides in  I'rbana.  Edward,  youngest 
son  by  first  marriage,  resides  in  St. 
l^aul.  There  were  seven  children 
Itoru  l)y  the  second  marriage,  four 
boys  and  tluee  girls.  Two  boys  ami 
one  girl  died  in  infancy.  Clyde,  the 
oldest  son,  is  married  and  resides  iu 
rrl)ana.  Court,  the  youngest  sou, is 
living  at    iioMie.     Ella'  P:..  oldest  girl. 


154 


piuyEEiis  OF  vnxMPAioy  coLyT). 


married  W'm.  Xeu  aud  resides  in  Pliil- 
iipsburgh,  Montana.  Ga}-,  the  youn 


est  girl,  is  living  at  home.  Mr.  Colvin 
was  elected  treasurer  of  Scott  coimty 
in  1860,  and   in   1862  was  re-elected. 


serving  fonr  years. 


the  constitutional 
term.  He  came  to  Tolono  township 
in  1866  and  in  1869  was  elected  super- 
visor of  that  township  and  served 
seven  years  consecutively.  He  was 
served  as  town  as.sessor 
Was  elected  and  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace, 
and    served    as 


elected   and 
three  years, 
eight    years 
AVas  elected 


police 
years, 
school 


magistrate  of  Tolono  three 
Was  elected  and  served  as 
tru.stee  of  Tolono  township  three  years 
and  was  a})pointed  post-master  of  To- 
lono (luring  President  Cleveland's  ad- 
ministration and  made  one  of  the  best 
postmasters  Tolono  ever  had.  He 
jilso  served,  by  appointment,  fifk^en 
months  as  village  marshal  of  Tolono. 
In  1889  was  elected  president  of  the 
t)oard  of  trustees  of  the  village  of  To- 
lono. 1  n  1 891  he  was  re-elected  and 
is  noAv  the  president  of  the  Ijoard  of 
trustees  of  the  village.  In  1891  he 
was  elected  as  supervisor  of  Tolono 
township  to  serve  for  two  years.  Mr. 
Colvin  has  had  a  busy  life.  He  is  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability 
and  has  the  confidence  of  the  entire 
comunit}'  as  is  shown  by  his  frequent 
selection  hy  the  people  to  fill  im- 
portant offices  all  of  which  he  fills  in 
a  conscientious  manner  and  with 
satisfaction  to  everyone.  He  is  and 
always  has  l)een  a  strong  democrat 
yet  he  has  the  confidence  of  the  mem- 
bers of  all  parties.  Although  advanced 
in  years  and  in  poor  health  tliere  are 
few  men  who  do  more  business  than 
he.  He  is  a  firm  friend  and  upright 
citizen  and  is  honored  and  res]jected 
bv  nil  who  know  him. 


I'ail  W .  Woody. 

Was  horn  in  Winchester,  Randolph 
county,  Indiana,  August  oO,  18-52.  His 
father,  Dr.  Robert  Woody,  was  a  na- 
tive of  North  Carolina.  His  mother 
was  Caroline  Way,  a  sister  of  Wm. 
Way,  of  Champaign,  a  native  of  Ran- 
dolph county.  Indiana.  Both  father 
and  mother  were  of  Quaker  parentage. 
The  father  died  at  Eaton,  Oliio.  in  1871: 
the  mother  in  1851.  Paul  W.,  at  the 
age  of  nine  years,  came  to  Champaign 
and  made  his  home  with  William  Way. 
He  attended  the  Univer.<ity  of  Illinois 
and  vvas  a  member  of  the  first  class,  viz : 
72.  He  was  then  16  years  old.  In 
September.  1874,  he  wa* united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Margarette  W.  Schweizer. 
only  daughter  of  John  F.  Schweizer, 
of  Champaign.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  viz:  Way.  aged  16, 
attending  school  :  .lamie  E.,  aged  14, 
and  Paul  W.,  aged  10.  They  are  very 
proud  of  their  children  and  have  just 
cause  to  be  as  they  are  unusually  bright 
and  promising.  In  1872  Mr.  Woody 
commenced  to  clerk  for  J.  V.  Schwei- 
zer and  was  admitted  as  partner  in  the 
extensive  clothing  and  merchant  tail- 
oring business  in  1876.  He  has  proven 
to  he  an  excellent  business  man,  doing 
much  to  lii-iny:  the  business  up  to  its 
l)res(mt-  hitjh  position.  He  has  always 
been  prominent  in  i)ui)lic  matters  and 
has  satisfactorily  lilled  the  otfice  of 
treasurer  of  tin-  city  of  ('hanipaiyii  for 
four  terms.  Was  alderman  of  the  third 
ward  one  term  and  wa-  elected  mayoi' 
of  Cliampaijj:n  liy  a  handsome  vote,  Hll- 
iiiii'  the  ofticc  with  credit  to  himself 
and  all  conccriicil.  I'olit  ically  he  was 
liorn  a  icpiiblii-an  and  has  been  active 


rioxEERs  or  ciiAMr.iK.s  couyTY. 


155 


/ 


in   matters  connected    with  his    party 
ever  since    his    majority. 

In  1890  he  was  nominated  by  the  re- 
publican party  for  county  treasurer 
and  was  elected  by  a  large  uiajority, 
and  is  now  tilling  that  respon>ible 
position  in  a  manner  very  satisfactory 
to  the  people.  Few  men  in  the  county 
have  a  wider  ac(iuaintan(e.  Whether 
occupying  the  position  of  alderman, 
mavor,  or  attending  the  responsible 
position  of  county  treasui-er,  he  is  the 
same  plain  Paul  Woody,  a  friend  of 
everyone.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  or- 
der or  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  pleas- 
ing address  and  obliging  di.-position 
make  him  a  favorite  with  all  who 
make  his  acquaintance. 


.loM.V    F.    St'HWEIZER, 

Was  born  inObersioluuiigau,  ().  Stutt- 
gard,  Kingdom  of  Wurteniherg,  Ger- 
many, March  14,  1S27.  His  parents, 
Jacob  and  Margaret  Sehweizor,  were 
natives  of  that  country.  There  were 
eighteen  children  boni  to  them,  four- 
teen boys  and  four  girls.  The  father 
died  in  18G5.  Two  of  the  ehikhen.  the 
.subject  of  this  sk(^teh  and  his  brother, 
George  G..  v>ho  is  a  resident  of  Phila- 
delphia, came  to  America.  John  F. 
worked  at  home  in  his  father's  hotel 
until  21.  He  left  home  March  -4,  1848. 
and  arrived  in  this  e{mntrv  June  first, 
iollowing.  He  workcnl  on  a  farm  in 
New  Jersey  for  two  mouths,  after- 
wards went  to  Philadelphia.  He  went 
from  there  to  Cincinnati  where  he  ob- 
tained a  situation  in  the  wholestale 
eloihing  house  of  Mack  Brothers  and 


remained  there  until  1850,  after  whicli 
he  (uigaged  in  the  dry  goods  and  no- 
tion business  on  his  own  account  until 
May   24,   18r)7,  when    he  came  to  I'r- 
bana  and   opened   a   clothing   house. 
H«>  won  the   confidence  of  the  peoi)le 
and  was  quite  succe.ssful  in  his  busi- 
ness.    In  1882  he  removed  his  store  to 
Champaign,  where  he  is  still  engaged 
in  business.     In  October,  1855,  at  Cin- 
cinnati, he   was  married  to  Ann  Bar- 
bara Herl)streit.  a  native  of  (iermany. 
Two  cliildreu  were  born  to  them,  viz  : 
Margarette  W.,  who  married  Paul  W. 
Woody,  the  present  county  treasurer, 
and  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Schweizer 
A:  Woody,  Champaign,  and   William 
P.,   who   is    a   tobacconist    in  Cham- 
paign, also  married.     Mrs.  Schweizer 
died  in  Champaign  July  4.  1878,  at 
the  age  of  4i5  years.     She  was  a  mem- 
ber   of     the     Evangelical    Lutheran 
church.     In  politics  Mr.  Schweizer  i.s 
and  alsvays  has  been  a  sound  repulili- 
can.     He  oast   his   first  vote  for  John 
C.   Fremont    in    185B.     He  has   been 
eminently-  successful  in  busine.ss,  ow- 
ing to  strict  attention  and   fair  deal- 
ing.    His   stock  and   buildings   were 
twice  destroyed  by  fire,  but  each  time 
he  redoubled  his  efforts  and  regained 
his  foothold.     He  admitted  his  son-in- 
law,  Paul  W.  Woody,  as  a  partner  in 
187(),  which   has  proven   to  be  a  w'ise 
step.     In    1868   the   business  was  en- 
larged and  merchant  tailoring  added. 
In  1800.   a  handsome  business  build- 
ing was  erected  by  the  firm  and  the 
largest  plate  glass  front  in  the  county 
put   in.      The   building  is    a    model 
clothing  house  and   one  of  the  finest 
in  Central  Illinois.     The  firm  carr}'  one 
of  the  largest  stocks  of  goods  outside 
of  Chicago  and   do   a   corresponding 
large  business.     Although  born  in  a 
foreign  land,   no  one  thinks  more  of 
his  adopted  country  than  he.     He  is 
especially  proud  of  his  palatial  store- 
room, which  is  a  justifiable  weakness. 
Mr.  Schweizer   seems  to    be  in  the 
jnimeoflife   and  as  active  and  ener- 
getic in  ills  business  as  when  he  came 
to    this    county    in    185(5.     He    is    a 
firm     friend,  sociable,    just    and   cor- 
rect in  all  his  dealings.     No  business 
man  stands  higher  in  the  comnuMjity 
than  he.  and  no  one  in  the  county  has 
more  friends.     With    plenty   of  this 
world's  goods,  a  good  reputation  and 
a  growing  business,  he  is  enjoying  life 
and  laving  up  for  his  children. 


156 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAlOy  COVNTY 


i 


N 


John  Dallenbach. 

Que  of  the  solid  Germaii  citizens  of 
Champaign  and  one  of  the  l^est  known 
old  settlers  in  the  county  is  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  He  was  born  in 
Berne,  Switzerland,  February  7,  1820. 
His  parents  were  Jacob  and  Elizabeth 
(Hausy)  Dallenbach,  both  natives  of 
Switzerland.  In  1838  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  came  to  this  country  and 
.settled  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
He  received  his  education  in  Berne, 
Switzerland,  which  well  fitted  him  for 
the  battles  of  life.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  March  7,  1848,  at  Pittsburg, 
to  Miss  Rosana  C.  Agler,  who  is  still 
living.  Eight  children  have  been  born 
to  them,  viz  :  Lizzie,  now  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Will,  residing  at  325  E.  43rd  St., 
Chicago  ;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Adam  Imig, 
of  Sheljoygan,  Wis.;  Jcjhn  and  Wil- 
liam, now  residing  in  Champaign  ; 
Sanmel,  residing  at  6320  Evans  Ave., 
Chicago  ;  (ieorge  and  Fred,  residing 
in  Champaign,  and  Emma,  youngest 
daughter,  at  No.  78  N.  Ada  street, 
(Miicago.  In  1857  Mr.  Dallenbach 
came  to  ('ham]xiign.  which  was  then 
in  its  infancy.  He  bought  a  farm  ami 
tiietl  tliat  at  first,  but  soon  becoming 
discouraged,  he  rem(ne(t  to  town  and 
opened  a  meat  market  He  and  his 
estimal)lc  wife  were  economical  and 
determine<l  to  win,  so  tlu'V  occupied  a 
room,  14x20.  in  the  front  of  which  was 
located  lh<'  meat  shop  and  the  l^ack 
pari  seived  as  |>arl()i'.  kitchen,  sleeping 


and  dining  room.  Here  the}'  lived, 
attended  to  their  business,  owing  no 
man  anything  that  they  did  not  pay 
promptly,  and  it  was  not  long  until 
John  Dallenbach  was  recognized  as 
one  of  the  solid  men  in  man}-  respects 
of  the  thriving  young  tow-n  of  Cham- 
paign. Honesty  and  right  was  char- 
acteristic of  Mr.  Dallenbach,  and  it 
was  with  sincere  regret  that  the  peo- 
ple of  Champaign  learned  that  he  in- 
tended retiring  from  a  business  he  had 
honored  and  by  which  he  had  amassed 
a  goodly  portion  of  this  world's  goods. 
The  weight  of  years  however,  and  a 
desire  to  give  his  boys  a  chance,  de- 
cided him  to  retire  from  business, 
which  he  did  in  1877.  He  is  liberal 
and  public  spirited  and  freely  con- 
tributed to  the  building  of  almost  ev- 
ery church  building  in  Champaign 
and  vicinity  and  no  worthy  object  was 
presented  to  him  without  receivmg  a 
contribution.  His  family  is  the  pride 
of  his  heart.  His  children  are  all  in- 
dustrious and  economical  and  are 
among  the  best  citizens  and  business 
men.  He  is  a  firm  republican,  also 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  is 
now  advanced  in  years,  takes  life  easy 
and  no  one.  walking  the  streets,  has 
more  friends  or  is  more  respected  than 
John  Dallenbach. 


rioxHtjRS  or  ciiampakss  couxtv. 


157 


Hkxijy  Moktimkk  Russkll. 
Was  born  in  Pembroke,  Geneseo  coun- 
ty, New  York.  November  18,  1826.  His 
parents  were  Nathaniel  Russel',  who  is 
still  living,  and  Hannah  (Ger^)  Rus- 
sell, who  died  in  Clark  countj',  HI. 
When  a  lad  of  lo,  his  famil\-  and  he 
came  from  New  York  to  Walnut  Pra- 
rie,  Clark  county,  Hi.,  by  wagon. 
Henry  came  to  Champaign  county, 
July  27,  1847.  and  stopped  three  miles 
.south  of  Sadorns  and  worked  at  brick- 
making  during  the  summer  and  on 
October  (5,  1847,  only  a  few  weeks  be- 
fore becoming  of  age,  removed  to  Ur- 
bana  wh^ re  he  has  lesided  ever  since. 
He  received  a  good  common  school 
education  in  Clark  county,  Illinois. 
He  taught  school  the  winter  of  1847-8, 
and  in  July,  1848,  engaged  with  the 
Western  Stage  Co.  and  remained  with 
them  unMl  staging  ceased  in  this  part 
of  the  country.  He  then  went  into  the 
grocery  and  provision  business  with  A. 
O.  Clapp  and  Thomas  J.  Price.  He 
first  bought  one  out  and  then  the  other 
and  continued  in  that  business  until 
1860.  He  also  started  the  first  bakery 
in  Urbana  in  connection  with  his  other 
business.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Anna  Waters,  whostill  lives,  and  three 
children  have  been  b:)rn  to  them.  The 
two  oldest,  l)oth  girls,  died  in  infancy. 
Charles  M.,  the  third  child,  is  married 
and  resides  at  Fort  Wayne,  I nd.  Mr. 
Russell  did  not  enter  the  army  as  an 
enlisted  man.  but  was  with  the  army 
most  of  the  time  during  the  war.  He 
went  from  here  with  the  2r)th  Illinois 


Infantry.  .Vugus't  'i.  1864.     He  was  in 

llie  secret  service  of  the  government 
most  of  the  time  until  the  do^e  of  the 
war  and  in  fart  until  thi'  fall  nf 
ISC"). 

.\t  Donelson  he  took  a  haml  in  tiie 
tight  and  helped  to  silence  a  battery, 
taking  t  In;  place  of  a  soldier  who  was 
nnal)le  to  go  in  on  that  day.  He  was 
in  tlie  militia  at  Memphis  and  also  at 
Natchez  i'or  a  time.  He  was  ch'ef  of 
the  mili'ary  and  detective  police  in  the 
Natchez  district  during  the  year  1864, 
wliicli  vv.is  at  that  time  a  very  impor- 
tant po-;ition.  He  has  never  aspired  to 
orticp.  Itut  s  rved  his  ward  as  alderman 
for  al)out  14  years  and  we  state  •  hat 
w'  know  to  be  true,  when  vve  say  he 
was  one  of  the  most  efficient  aldermen 
the  city  has  ever  had.  He  was  a  U.  H. 
storekeeper  from  1871  to  1874.  He 
then  establi-<lied  a  reil-estate  and  in- 
surance office  which  he  has  carried  on 
ever  sinei^ successfully.  Later  he  added 
the  business  of  pension  attorney.  In 
all  three  of  the  branches  of  his  business 
he  is  careful,  methodical  and  reliable. 
His  systematic  method  of  doing  busi- 
ness makes  him  a  peculiarlv  safe  man 
to  entrust  with  eitlier  insurance,  real- 
estate  or  pension  claims.  Mr.  Russell 
has  been  an  unswerving  republican 
ever  since  that  party  was  formed,  and 
has  frequently  held  important  places 
upon  its  committees  and  has  always 
l)epn  among  its  wise  counselors  and 
hard  workers.  His  religious  views  are 
broad  and  liberal,  which  led  him  to 
unite  with  tlie  Universalist  church. 
He  was  long  the  >uperintendent  of  its 
Sabbath  scliool  and  has  been  among  its 
most  substantial  and  conscientious 
supporters.  The  Herald  hopes  that 
lie  and  his  estimable  life  companion 
mav  live  many  years  to  enjoy  the  coni- 
petency  he  has  accumulated  by  a  life 
of  temperance,  economy  and  untiring 
industry. 


158 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 


histohy  of  the  sadobus 
settlement. 


BY    J.    O.    CUNNINGHA^r. 


The  four  townships  of  Sadorus,  Pe- 
sotum,  Colfax  and  Tolono,  as  now 
organized,  embrace  the  scene  of  the 
second  oldest  settlement  of  this  coun- 
ty, formerh-  known  as  •'  Sadorus 
Grove,"'  from  the  name  of  the  first 
permanent  white  family  which  made 
its  hospitable  shelter  and  fat  lands 
their  home. 

PHYSICAL    CHARACTERISTICS. 

The  territory  of  which  we  are  to 
speak  is  a  section  of  the  valley  of  the 
Okaw  river,  which  takes  its  rise  but  a 
few  miles  away,  runs  southwestward- 
ly  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles, 
measured  in  a  direct  line,  though 
much  farther  by  following  the  inean- 
derings  of  the  stream,  and  after  wash- 
ing the  shores  of  the  ancient  Kas- 
kaskia,  the  first  permanent  seat  of 
civilization  in  Illinois,  empties  into 
the  Mississippi  river.  The  land  for 
some  miles  each  side  of  the  stream 
slopes  gently  to  it,  so  as  to  afford 
natural  drainage,  and  is  as  fertile  as 
ever  was  the  famed  valle}'  of  the  Nile. 
If  the  theory  of  geologists  concern- 
ing the  presence  in  this  latitude  of 
the  glacier  in  pre-historic  periods  he 
true,  then  the  Okaw  valley  entertained 
one  of  those  chilly  monsters  if  indeed 
it  does  not  owe  its  origin  to  a  furrow 
ploughed  by  one,  for  along  the  mar- 
gin of  the  stream  and  throughout  its 
entire  valley,  are  or  were  in  early  times 
numerous  boulders  of  granite,  gneiss 
and  limestone,  dropped  by  these  visi- 
tants or  surrendered  by  them  when 
they  went  out  of  business.  In  no 
])art  of  this  county  are  these  stranger 
rocks  so  plentiful  as  in  the  vicinity  of 
this  stream.  One  of  these  rocks  h'ing 
a  short  distance  southwest  of  the  vil- 
lage, near  Wm.  Sadorus'  sugar  camj), 
measures  seven  steps  around  at  the 
ground  and  five  feet  above  tlie  ground. 
How  far  the  monster  extends  below 
the  surface  of  the  ground  has  never 
bcicn  ascertained.  It  must  weigh 
many  tons  and  challenges  our  admi- 
ration for  the  might}'  force  which  ))ore 
it  from  it.^  native  h'dge  in  tlie  faraway 
north  and  llnally  dropped  it  here  at 
our  doors  and  for  our  arliniration. 


FIRST    VISITORS. 

Who  first  saw  these  lovely  and  fer- 
tile plains?  This  question  finds  its 
answer  only  in  conjecture.  The 
mound  Ijuilder.  he  of  whom  no  one 
knows  anything  save  that  he  was  a 
mighty  worker,  has  left  monuments 
of  his  industry  upon  the  Sangamon 
not  far  awaj-,  and  doul)tless  looked 
upon  this  valley.  The  wild  Indian, 
who  was  everything  liut  a  worker,  was 
found  an  inhabitant  of  Illinois  by 
John  Nicholet,  in  1634  and  by  Joliet 
and  LaSalle,  later  visitants.  But  who 
of  our  race,  for  whom  the  Almighty 
seems  to  have  fashioned  this  goodh^ 
heritage,  first  looked  upon  its  gentle 
beauty  and  perhaps  mentally 
measured  its  capabilities  to  meet  the 
wants  of  man?  Doubtless  white  trap- 
pers as  captives  ranged  through  this 
country,  but  not  with  thoughts  of  sub- 
duing and  appropriating  it.  The  first 
whites  to  look  upon  this  valley,  of 
whom  we  know  anj'thing,  were  a  party 
of  United  States  surveyors,  under 
liichard  T.  Holliday,  who  in  1822  .sur- 
veyed the  four  townships  named,  into 
sections  and  marked  their  corners. 
Three  years  l)efore  this,  in  1819,  by  a 
treaty  between  the  United  States  and 
the  Kickapoo  Jndians,  the  title  to  the 
lands  passed  to  our  government,  and 
were  now  ready  for  occupancy  under 
the  pre-emption  laws  though  not  in 
the  market  for  entry. 

FIRST    PERMANENT    SETTLEMENT. 

We  now  come  to  the  part  of  our 
narrative  most  important  to  us  and  of 
interest  to  those  who  may  come  after 
us,  for  whose  use  largely  all  our  re- 
searches are  made.  The  histor}'  of 
the  Sadorus  family  is  so  nearly  the 
history  of  the  towns  of  which  we 
write  and  of  the  period  al)t)ut  which 
we  write,  that  the  history  of  one  tells 
the  story  of  all. 

Henrv  Sadorus,  formerly  known  as 
*'  Orandpap "  Sadorus.  was  born  in 
Bedford  county,  Penn.,  July  2(i,  1788, 
four  years  before  tlie  adoption  of  the 
federal  constitution.  The  spring  of 
1817  found  him  living,  with  his  little 
family,  of  whom  our  fellow  citizen 
William  Sadorus,  then  about  live  years 
old,  having  been  born  eJuly  4,  1812, 
was  the  oldest,  on  Oil  Creek.  Crawford 
county.  Pa.  The  "  western  fever," 
wliicli  has  prevailed  among  Americans 
since  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  at- 
tacked him  and   from  the  native  tim- 


I' lux  Eli  us:  ur  (  nAMi'Aias  couyTy 


159 


bers  of  that   region   he  constructed  a 
raft  or  flatboat,  upon  which  ho  loaded 
his  worldly  goods  and  his  faniil}-  for 
a  long  journey   westwardT    The  flat- 
boat  was  buift  on  the  waters  of  Oil 
Creek,  and  down  it  the  adventurers 
set  forth  in  pursuit  of  a  home  in  the 
west,  they  knew  not  where.     Follow- 
ing this  creek  to  its  junction  with  the 
Alleghen}'  that  stream  soon  bore  them 
to  Pittsburg  and  from  there  their  frail 
J)ark  l)ore  them  to  Cincinnati  in  safe- 
ty, barring  one  shipwreck  at  the  head 
of  the  famed  Blenuerhassett's  Island. 
The      flatboat      having      served    its 
purpose,    was     sold      in      Cincinnati 
for  .|1,7(H)  in  James  Piatt's  shinplaster 
money,  making  the  traveller  rich  for 
the  time,  but  in  six  months  it  sliar(»d 
the  fate  pf  its  kind  and  was  no  good 
and  Mr.  Sadorus  was  poor  again.  The 
family    remained    in    Cincinnati    two 
years  w'hen  the}'  again  drifted  we.st- 
ward.  stopping   successively    at  Con- 
nersville.  Jr'lat  Rock  and  Raccoon,  in 
the  state  of  Indiana,  where  they  found 
themselves  in  the  spring  of  1^24,  still 
with  a  desire  to  "go  west."     Early  in 
the  year  Mr.  Sadorus  and  a  neighl)or, 
one  Joe  Smith,  fltted  themselves 'out 
each  with  a  team  of  two  yoke  of  oxen, 
and    a   covered    wagon,    suitable    for 
moving    their     families     and    goods. 
Thus  accoutered  the}'  again  set  their 
faces  westward  intending  to  go  to  the 
Illinois   country,    possiblv   as    far   as 
Peoria  or  Fort  Clark  as  the  place  was 
then    known.      An    almost   trackless 
forest    then    lay    between    them   and 
their    place    of     destination.       They 
passed  the  site  of  the  city  of  Indian- 
apolis, then    but    recently  selected  as 
the  state  capital,  where  the  foundation 
of  the  old   capitol  l)uilding  had  just 
l)een  laid,   and   crossing  the  Wabash 
river  by  a  terr}-   at   Clinton,  Indiana, 
they    soon    encountered    the    Grand 
Prairie.     After  entering  Illinois,  they 
encountered  onl}-  one  house  l^etween 
the  state  line  and  theO'Kaw  and  that 
was  the  home  of  Hezekiah  Cunning- 
ham, on  or  near  the  Little  Vermilion 
river,  where  he  kept    a  small  trading 
post  for  traliic  with  the  Indians.     On 
April  i(,  lS2-t,  the    party  reached  (he 
isolated   grove    at    the    head   of   the 
OTvaw  river,  since  and  now  known  as 
"  Sadorus'  Grove."'   and  as  usual  en- 
camped for  the  night,  near  the  place 
which  eventually  became  their  perma- 
nent home.     A    brief  .survev  of  their 


surroundings  satisfied  the  party  that 
a  point  had  l^een  i-eached  which  fully 
met  all  their  demands  for  a  home.  So 
far  as  the}'  then  knew  they  were  30  or 
4()  miles  from  neighbors,  surrounded 
by  as  fruitfid  a  coimtry  as  was  to  be  ' 
found,  in  which  wild  game  abounded 
and  where  every  want  might  easily  be 
supplied.  Accordingly  they  determin- 
ed here  to  remain  and  set  about  mak- 
ing themselves  comfortable.  They 
found  that  the  grove  whose  shelter 
they  had  accepted  was  3  or  4  miles 
long  and  nearly  equally  divided  by  a 
narrow  place  in  the  timber  where  the 
railroad  now  crosses  the  stream,  so 
the  two  heads  of  families  partitioned 
the  tract  between  themselves.  Smith 
taking  the  south  end  and  Sadorus  the 
north  end.  The  "Narrow's"  as  it 
was  called,  being  the  line. 

A  brief  survey  of  the  surroundings 
of  the  situation  will  give  a  better  idea 
of  the  actual  condition  of  these  pion- 
eers: Illinois  had  then  been  a  stat3 
in  the  Union  six  years  and  Edward 
('oles,  its  second  governor,  was  still  in 
office.  Its  population  which  was  then 
less  than  100,000  was  confined  to  the 
southern  counties.  Neither  Cham- 
paign,  Piatt  nor  Vermilion  counties 
had  been  established  and  their  terri- 
tory and  all  north  of  them  to  the  Wis- 
consin line  belonged  to  Edgar  county. 
There  was  then  no  Danville,  Urbana,  , 
Charleston,  Decatur  nor  Monticello, 
not  to  speak  of  their  younger  and 
more  brilliant  rivals.  Five  years 
previously,  in  1819,  by  a  treaty  between 
the  U.  S.  "Government  and  the  Indian* 
tribes  the  Indian  title  to  this  country 
and  to  all  south  of  the  Kankakee  river; 
had  been  relinquished  and  only  two 
years  before  the  U.  S.  surveyors  had 
performed  their  work,  and  the  mounds 
bv  which  the  section  corners  were 
niarked  were  yet  fresh.  Not  an  acre 
of  land  had  been  entered  which  now 
forms  this  county  and  so  far  as  we  are 
informed  only  one  white  man's  cabin, 
that  of  Runnel  Fielder,  two  miles 
northeast  of  the  site  of  Urbana.  was  to 
Ite  found  in  the  same  territory,  Field- 
er had  then  been  here  two  years  and 
was  a  squatter  on  the  public  domain. 
The  only  residents  of  what  is  now  Ver- 
milion c-ounty  was  James  D.  Butler, 
at  Butlers  Point,  near  Catlin,  and 
his  neighbors,  John  Light,  Robert 
Trickle  and  Asa  Elliott  and  Dan 
Beckwith  and  Jesse  Gilbert  at  Dan- 
ville and  Hezekiah  Cunningham  on 
Little  Vermilion.     The  whole  state  of 


160 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAiay  COUSTy. 


Illinois  north  of  us  was  uninhabited 
by  white  men,  except  the  military 
station  at  Cbicaofo,  and  wild  Indians 
roamed  and  hunted  at  pleasure  over 
these  prairies  and  through  these 
groves. 

Having  so  divided  the  beautiful 
grove  of  timber  between  them  the 
two  pioneers  proceeded  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  a  permanent  stay  in 
the  place  chosen  for  a  home,  by  build- 
ing for  each  a  cabin.  Smith  who  had 
chosen  the  southern  part  of  the  grove, 
erected  his  cabin  near  where  the  old 
Grandpa  Sadorus'  old  home  now 
stands.  It  was  built  of  split  linn 
logs,  16x16  feet,  covered  with  split  oak- 
en boards  with  linn  puncheons  for  a 
floor.  The  roof,  after  the  manner  of 
cabin  building,  was  laid  upon  logs  or 
poles  laid  lengthwise  of  the  cabin,  each 
succeeding  pole  being  a  little  higher 
than  the  last,  and  converging  towards 
the  ridge.  These  boards,  for  the  want 
of  nails,  which  were  not  to  be  had, 
were  held  in  place  bj  poles  laid  length- 
wise over  the  buts  of  each  course.  The 
door  was  made  of  split  boards  held  in 
place  by  wooden  pins.  The  window 
was  only  a  hole  cut  in  the  wall  to  let 
in  the  light,  subsequently  covered 
with  greased  muslin  to  keep  out  the 
cold. 

TLe  Sadonis  home,  which  was  built  two 
miles  north  on  section  36  in  Coltax,  but  in 
the  firove,  was  le.^-s  pietentinus.  It  was 
built  of  the  same  material  10x20  feet,  but 
entirely  open  on  one  side,  what  is  called  a 
"half-faced  camp."  Windows  and  doors 
were  entirely  dispensed  with.  Settled  in 
these  crude  homes,  the  pioneers  set  about 
plantinK  and  preparing  for  the  future.  The 
summer  was  spent  in  cultivating  little 
patches  of  corn  and  garden  with  a  crude 
prairie  plow  they  had  broui^ht  with  them 
and  in  luuitint:  wild  (canie  for  their  meat 
and  peltries,  the  result  beint;  that  as  fall 
apiiroached  the  larders  of  the  families  were 
well  supplied  with  the  best  the  country  af- 
forded. The  wolves,  however,  ate  up  much 
of  their  sod  corn. 

In  the  fall  the  heads  of  the  two  families, 
havinfj  laid  in  for  their  families,  concluded 
to  know  what  lay  to  the  west  of  them.  Fill- 
ing their  packs  with  a  small  .supply  of  pro- 
visions, with  their  rifles  on  their  shoulders, 
they  s«-t  out  on  foot  for  the  west  again, 
leaving  their  families  housed  as  we  have 
seen.  They  traveled  as  far  as  lake  I'eoria, 
where  Smith  detei mined  to  remove  his 
family,  'i'hey  went  by  way  of  Mackinaw 
and  Kickapoo  Creek,  through  Indian  coun- 
try.    Kt'iurniny;  as   they   went    after  an  ab- 


sence of  two  weeks,  they  found  everything 
quiet.  Smith  at  once  sold  his  cabin  and  im- 
provements to  Sadorus,  the  consideration 
being  the  hauling  of  a  load  of  goods  from 
the  O'Kaw  to  the  Illinois  liver,  which  was 
paid  according  to  the  agreen'ent,  and  the 
south  end  of  tbe  grove  with  all  of  its  ap- 
purtenances, passed  to  Mr.  Sadorus.  Thus 
came  and  went  the  first  representative  of 
the  numerous  and  respectable  family  of 
Smiths  of  this  county. 

IN  THEIR   J'ERMANENT  HOME. 

r 

The  Sadorus  family  lost  no  time  in  taking 
possession  of  the  Smith  cabin.  Its  comforts 
were  exchanged  for  the  '•half-faced  camp," 
and  all  claim  ti)  the  upper  lialf  of  the  grove 
was  abandoned.  The  land  thus  dccujiied 
by  the  Sadorus  family  subsequently,  9  years 
thereafter,  became  the  home  of  James  Mil- 
ler. The  Smith  cabin  was  "daubed"  that 
fall,  which  means  that  the  interstices  be- 
tween its  logs  were  tilled  with  chinks  and 
mud  to  prevent  the  cold  from  intruding  and 
its  foundations  were  banked  with  earth 
with  a  like  purpose.  A  mud  chimney  was 
built  outside  with  a  fireplace  opening  inside 
the  cabin,  and  carried  up  above  the  cabin 
roof  with  sticks  and  mud.  A  c<mii)anion 
cabin,  a  few  feet  away,  in  like  manner  sup- 
plied with  a  mud  and  stick  chimney  and 
neatly  "daubed"  I'^n  time  was  added  to  the 
Comforts  and  conveniences  of  the  family. 
A  single  window  sash  was  bought  in 
Eugene,  Ind.,  five  or  six  year.t  thereafter, 
and  that  glazed  wild  glass,  gave  the  fauiily 
one  glass  window — the  first  in  CLampaign 
county— and  in  time  other  openings  answer- 
ing to  wiiidow,  were  likewise  supplied. 
These  cabins  did  duty  as  the  Sadorus  domi- 
cile until  18.38— fourteen  years— when  the 
permanent  home  was  erected.  Until  1834, 
more  than  ten  years,  Mr.  Sadorus  was  a 
squatter  on  the  public  domain.  On  Dec. 
11th,  of  that  year,  liaving  gotten  together 
.1*200  he  entered  the  southeast  quarter  of 
section  one,  township  seventeen  range  sev- 
en, where  his  cabin  stood.  That  tract  with 
the  north  eighty  in  the  northeast  quarter  of 
the  same  section,  entered  on  the  same  day 
by  William  Sadorus,  then  22  years  old,  were 
the  first  entries  of  land  in  the  grove  or  in 
that  part  of  the  county.  The  journey  to 
Vandalia  the  then  caiiital  of  the  state  and 
location  of  the  land  office,  was  made  by  Mr. 
Sadorus  in  company  with  James  Piatt,  who 
had  bought  out  James  Hay  worth,  first  s(|uat- 
ter  on  the  present  site  «d'  Monticello  anil 
was  the  nearest  neighbor  of  the  Sadorus 
household.  IVace  was  maintained  between 
tliem  by  agreeing  that  the  eight  nnle  slough 
should  be  the  dividing  line  between  their 
ranges,  all  the  grass  on   this  side  belonging 


l>l  ).\t:i.RS  OF  CHAMPAiay  cuustv. 


161 


to  Sadorus  and  liis  lierds  and  all  on  that 
side  belonging  to  Piatt,  an  Abialiani  and 
Lot  attair,  that  had  jio  distuibancf  tnmi  in- 
tnideis  for  more  Uiaii  a  (luarter  of  a  cen- 
tnry. 

IN   THK   NEIGHBORHOOD 

It  will  be   ii'ferred  that  the  term  'iieifi;!!- 
bor."   had  a  somewhat    dillereut   meaiiini? 
than  from  that  given  it  now.  and  it  is  a  fact 
that    "dist.Tnce    lent    enchantment   to    the 
view"   of  the   few    they   liad.    As  already 
seen  residents  at  Danville,   Monticello,  Ur- 
hana   and   on    tlie   lower   Little    Vermilion 
river  were  liie   neare.>t  neighbors  of  the  Sa- 
dorus family,  hut  it  must   not  be  supposed 
that  the  intervening   distances    prevented 
neighborly  acts  or  cut  off  social  intercourse. 
Air.  William   Siulorus,    from    whom   1  have 
received  mii>t  of  the  facts  here  Kf'i'l'ed  to- 
gether,   was  twelve    year.-<  old    when    they 
took  upilieir  residence  on  the  OKaw,  and 
is  now  in  hi>  80ih  jear.  speaUs  withenthusi- 
asuiof  their  neighbors  (.f  sixiy  years  ago  and 
the  warm  hospitality   encountered   in  every 
cabin,  of  the  "raisings,"' the  "huskillg^^"  and 
The  "hunting   circles"    which    brouglit  the 
scattered   settlers  together  and  kei>t  alive 
sociability.     He  remembers  the  Cook  fami- 
ly which  settled  on  the  we.st  side  of  the  13ig 
Grove  in  1880.  and   before  being  domiciled 
binied   the    husbanfl   and    father,   the   hrst 
death  of  a  white  settlt-r  of  the  county.     He 
also    remembers   the   coming    of    Stephen 
Boyd,    Jake   Heater,    the   Buseys,    Charlie 
Matthew  and  Isaac,  the  latter  he  sajs,  kept 
the  first  lirst-class  hotel   in  Urbana  in  his 
cabin  on   the  creek  bank.     He  also  remem- 
bers the  coming  of  Noble  Byers,   the  only 
Justice  of  the  Peace  in  this  part  «if  Vermil- 
ion c<UMity,   of  Jt>hn  G.    Robertson  and  of 
the   Webbers.    These  are   warmly   remem- 
bered by   Mr.   Sadorus  for  the  friendships 
whicli  grew  np  between   them  as  pioneers, 
and  ceased  only  at  their  deatli. 

The  tirst  additions  to  the  population  in 
the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  Sadorus 
family  were  Henry  Evving,  who  with  his 
family,  came  from  Connersville,  Ind.,  two 
years  after  Mr.  Sadorus  came  and  built  a 
cabin  in  the  grove  north  of  where  the  vil- 
lage now  is.  He  staid  a  year  and  moved  on 
west.  William  Martpiis  soon  after  came, 
took  possession  of  the  Ewing  cabin,  staid 
two  ov  three  years  and  cleared  a  small  plat 
of  land  and  then  he  too,  went  west.  One 
Aikens  Wright  came  about  18:30  and  settled 
west  of  the  creek,  a  mile  or  more  away.  He 
was  a  desperado  and  had  a  bad  reputation 
among  his  neighbors  and  finally  moved 
away  under  compulsion.  John  Cook  and 
family,  the  second  permanent  settler  in  the 
grove,  came  about  the  begining  of  1><39  aud 


settled  on  .section  thirty  inTolono  township, 
where  he  died  over  thirty  years  since.  The 
Millers,  Lsaac,  James,  Benjamin  and  John, 
came  at  an  early  day  from  Indiana,  and  en- 
tered land  and  became  permanent  residents. 
Before  1  hem  came  William  Kock,  in  lJS.36, 
and  settled  on  the  land  where  he  subse- 
(juertly  dit-d.  Following  him  and  settling 
lower  down  were  Kzra  Fay.  the  first  New 
Light  preacher  in  the  county,  who  settled 
on  the  Ellars  farm:  John  Haines,  father  of 
E.  C.  Haines;  Lawson  Laughlin  and  William 
Toler,  his  father-in-law,  the  first  to  be  bur- 
ied in  the  Kock  graveyard;  and  John 
U'Bryan.  with  his  sons  William,  Joseph 
and  Hiram.     Fay  afterwards  moved  to  Lake 

Fork. 

INDIAN.'*. 

Although  the  Indian  title  to  these  lands 
had  been  extinguished  by  treaty  in  1819. 
yet  as  late  as  1833  these  wild  men  wandered 
at  will  and  hiinied  over  these  prairies.  Be- 
fore the  Sadorus  family  had  built  their  first 
camp  on  the  O'Kaw,  they  were  visited  by 
strolling  bands  of  these  red  men.  Their 
chief  errands  were  to  procure  something  to 
eat,  and  they  always  got  what  they  came 
for,  says  Wm.  Sadorus.  This  hospitality 
was  not  thrown  away  for  the  red  men  were 
always  the  fast  friends  of  the  Sadorus  fam- 
ily. The  Indians  were  of  the  Pottawatomie, 
Kickapoo  and  Delaware  tribes.  William 
Sadorus  remembers  Shemaugre  the  Potta- 
watomie chief  and  says  the  chief  never 
failed  to  call  when  passing  through  this 
country  on  his  hunting  expeditions,  always 
dividing  with  the  family  his  supply  of 
game.  Shemaugre  then  lived  at  the  ford  of 
the  Kankakee  river  near  Bourbonnais  Grove. 
He  claimed  the  Indian  camping  ground 
on  the  site  of  Urbana  as  his  native  place, 
and  is  still  remembered  by  many  of  the 
pioneers  of  the  Big  Grove  as  the  friend  of 
the  early  white  settler.  He  is  remembered 
by  many  as  the  "Old  Soldier,"  a  name  some- 
times assumed  l>y  him.  His  name  is  seen 
affixed  to  some  treaties  with  the  United 
States  government  as  "Shemaugre."  He 
was  disowned  by  bis  people  and  lived  by 
himself  when  known  to  our  people. 

Wallhoming,  a  Delaware  chief,  was  also 
a  frequent  visitor  at  the  Sadorus  home.  At 
onetime  he,  with  several  followers,  came 
over  from  the  Ambraw  river,  bearing  a  keg 
of  whisky,  which  they  had  purchased  of  a 
trader,  saying  they  wanted  to  stay  and  have 
a  big  drunk,  which  they  did,  but  all  the 
time  peaceable.  The  supply  lasted  them 
several  days,  notwithstanding  the  leak  in 
the  end  opposite  the  spiggot,  which  Mrs. 
Sadorus  had  made  to  facilitate  consumption. 
At  the  close   Wallhoming  and   his  friends 


162 


PIONEERS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


gave  an  all  night  exhibition  of  Indian 
dances,  which  the  Sadorus  boys  witnessed 
with  interest.  Big  John  Lewis,  a  Delaware, 
was  one  of  the  party.  About  a  year  after 
the  bie  drnnii  VVainumiing  came  again,  this 
time  sober,  bringing  witli  him  tiicoon  skins, 
which  he  gave  Mr.  badorus,  saying  they 
were  to  "pay  for  big  drunk." 

Ata(u)llier  time  when  Mr.  Sadorus  had 
gone  beyond  the  Wabash  to  mill  and  Mrs. 
Sadorus  and  lier  little  chiidri'ii  were  left 
alone,  a  party  of  Indians  came  to  the  cabin, 
asked  for  Mr.  Sadorus  and  were  informed 
that  he  had  gone  to  mill.  They  informed 
the  while  man's  squaw  that  she  would 
starve,  but  were  assured  that  they  had 
plenty.  They  then  Jeft  the  cabin  for  the 
chase  and  in  a  few  hours  returned  bearing 
the  hams  of  severa'  deer  which  they  had 
siaui  and  gave  them  to  the  family.  Mrs. 
Sadorus  returned  the  favor  by  instructing 
the  boys  to  go  to  the  corn  shocks  in  tlie 
corn  lields  and  roll  out  a  supply  of  yellow 
pumpkins,  which  had  been  put  there  to 
save  them  from  the  frost.  With  mutual 
expressions  of  kindly  feelings  the  red  visit- 
ors and  the  Sadorus  family  separated  as 
they  had  often  done  before. 

The  cabin  of  Mr.  Sadorus  was  always 
made  a  stouping  place  by  Shemaugre  and 
Wallhomiug  and  their  hunting  parties,  but 
not  a  single  act  of  hostility  or  of  thievery 
was  ever  perpetrated  by  them.  Wm.  Sa- 
dorus remembers  the  call  at  their  cabin  of 
an  Indian  named  Tom  Jelloway  and  his 
daughter,  on  iheir  way  to  some  western 
point  wliere  the  dauuhter  was  charged  with 
having  killed  a  squaw,  and  whither  the 
father  was  vtilmilrtriiy  taking  her  to  meet 
the  charge.  The  result  of  the  trial  he  never 
heard. 

Shemaugre  died  and    was   buried  on  the 
banks  of  the  Kankakee,  where  he  had  lived. 
GAMK. 

P.efoie  the  Sadorus  family  came  here  tlie 
BulTalo  and  the  larger  game  had  di>ap- 
peared  irom  the  country,  leaving  only  the 
bones  of  deceased  members  of  the  race  and 
their  wallowing  holes,  as  evidences  of  their 
former  occupancy.  The  bones  have  disap- 
peared and  the  sink  holes  in  the  prairie 
where  tliey  took  their  recreation^,  we  me 
now  engaged  in  tiling  out  and  reclaiming 
for  agriciiltnral  inriioses.  Of  deer.  wolve>, 
raccoons,  minks  and  rabbits,  there  was 
plenty  at  the  time  of  the  settleni'iit  of  the 
country.  Foxes  and  groundhotrs  have  come 
to  the  country  since.  As  late  as  iN'Ji*  a  lynx 
was  killed  l)y  John  Cook  on  the  creek.  The 
Sadorus  men  svere  great  hunter^  in  early 
dajs  and  William  sa.\s  he  has  huiiled  norih 
as  far  as  Spring  ('reek,   in    lid(|Uois  coniily. 


lu  such  excursions  he  would  be  gone  some- 
times as  long  as  three  weeks,  camp- 
ing out  and  living  by  the  chase.  Within  a 
few  years,  his  passion  for  hunting,  finding 
no  gratitication  in  the  lields  so  long  ago 
hunted  over  by  him,  he  has  soiishtout  hunt- 
ing grounds  in  Arkansas  and  other  western 
states. 

I'OST-OFFICK  AND   STOKKS. 

When  the  Sadorus  family  tirst  came  to 
the  grove  their  nearest  post-oflice  and  their 
county  seat  was  I'aris,  Edgar  county,  but 
having  no  need  of  postal  facilities  they  did 
not  patronize  tlie  town  for  either  purpose. 
The  road  oHicials  at  Paris  at  one  time 
warned  Mr.  Sadorus  to  appear  on  the  streets 
of  Paris  on  a  given  day  to  work  his  poll  tax, 
but  it  being  Hfty-two  miles  from  home  the 
mandate  was  disobejed. 

Their  first  trading,  and  for  tifteen  years, 
was  done  at  Eugene,  Ind.,  with  the  Colletts 
and  afterward  with  Samuel  Groenendyke. 
There  each  fall  they  drove  their  hotfs.  'Ihey 
raised  from  100  to  oOOeach  year.  Their  herd 
had  the  run  of  the  timber  and  fattened  on 
the  mast  until  the  corn  hardened  in  the  fall 
wl'en  a  "round  up"  was  had  and  the  herd 
put  in  a  tield  and  fed  until  the  packing 
season  in  Eugene,  when  a  force  sufficient 
was  summoned  and  the  drove  taken  to 
market.  The  pork  brought  from -31  to  52.50 
percwt.,  and  the  trip  consumed  fnnn  ten 
days  to  two  weeks  of  time. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  years  Danville  had 
a  post-otiice  and  became  iheir  trading  point. 
The  tirst  letter  received  by  the  family  came 
thr<iugh  that  oHicte.  A  mail  route  was  early 
established  between  Paris  and  Sprlnglield, 
and  the  mail  carrier  generally  came  liy  way 
of  Sadorus  Giove,  always  stopping  at  their 
house.  The  mail-sack,  however,  was  not 
unlocked  between  those  two  points. 

In  time  Chicago  came  to  be  (piite  a  trad- 
ing point  and  was  visited  Oy  people  fnnn 
this  region.  In  the  fall  of  V6M  Mr.  Sadorus 
made  a  trip  there,  prol)ably  his  first.  His 
son  IJeory,  then  eleven  years  old,  gives  me 
the  particulars  of  the  journey,  which  Igive 
for  the  benefit  of  those  who  uo  there  now 
on  the  vestibule  tiaiii  in  ">'.i  lioiirs.  The 
trip  to  Chicago  of  tho-e  days  was  most 
comfortably  ma<ie  in  companies  of  two  or 
more  wations  tmd  so  this  one  was  made. 
Four  wagons,  each  diavvii  by  live  yoke  of 
oxen,  constimted  the  caravan.  Mr.  Safloius 
and  Henry  manned  their  oiiltic  which  whs 
freighted  with  oats.  The  other  members  of 
the  party  were  Uncle  Mai  liusey  and  his 
son  Fountain  J.;  Capt.  Nr»x,  of  Sidney, 
father  of  Sol  Nox;  Pete  Bailey,  of  Salt 
Foru,  and  lliram  Jackson.  The  company 
met  t»y    appointment   at    Poaties,    north  of 


i'I()m:i-:i:s  of  ciiAMt'.iKix  cocxtv 


163 


Homer  and  from  there  turned  their  faces 
northward  by  the  way  of  I'ilot  Grove  and 
Bourboiinais  Grove,  at  which  point  they 
forded  the  Kankaltee  river.  It.  raineti  every 
day  on  the  way  and  they  swam  cret^ks  antl 
rivers  eleven  times.  Each  iiittlit.  tiiey 
camped  out  and  occupied  tweoty-noe  ilays 
in  making  the  jiuirney.  Mr.  Sadoiussold 
his  oats,  which  inid  sprouted  t'lom  one 
to  two  incthes,  to  Capt.  A.llen,  in  cumniaud 
of  the  Giirrison  at  Fort  Dearborn,  at  50  cents 
a  bushel,  and  puicha^ed  for  his  return  trip 
salt,  sugar,  coltVe  and  other  family  supplies, 
it  may  he  iniereslin>;  to  know  that  these 
Koods  were  l)ouglit  of  (iurdou  S.  Uul)bard, 
then  and  fur  many  >ears  before  and  since 
an  extensive  trader  with  the  frontiersmen 
and  lndi.in.->.  He  had  stores  at  Chicago,  on 
the  lro(|uoi-*  river  at  a  place  called  BuiK'omb 
and  ai  D.invllie.  and  was  well-km)vvn  t<i  ihe 
early  >eitler.-..  The  return  trip  was  made 
by  way  of  Si.iing  Creek  and  Mink  Grove 
to  Urbaua.  Only  one  house  was  seen 
between  the  Kaidiakee  river  and  Urbaua, 
that  of  Charley  Busey,  twu  miles  north  of 
Urbana,  on  what  is  know.i  as  the  John 
Stewart  farm.  Mr.  Henry  Sadorus  says  of 
Chicago  then,  that  il  was  "very  .•«cafteriiig 
and  its  streets  were  as  full  of  dog-fennel  as 
are  those  of  8adorus  village  now." 

William  Sadoius  relates  a  similar  triji  to 
Chicago  in  1S4(),  in  the  big  Pennsylvania 
wag(»n,  loHtbd  with  si.xty  bushels  of  wheat. 
This  trill  was  made  by  way  <if  Trickle's 
Grove  on  ihe  Middle  Folk  and  Bouibonuais. 

Before  1840  small  stores  had  been  opened 
at  lJrt)aua  and  Houn-i',  and  these  became 
their  points  of  trade.  When  a  post-ofiice 
was  established  at  Urtwna  it  became  their 
post-olTice.  Not  until  the  opening  of  the 
Great  Western  railioad,  n<iw  the  Wabash, 
about  18.5.5,  was  a  post-office  bearing  Mr. 
Sadorus'  iiame,  established  near  liim  in  the 
town  laid  <itf  l)y  his  son  VN  illiam. 

Urbana  was  their  voiing  place  until  the 
eslahlishmetiC  of  Sadorus  precinct  in  1854. 
Mr.  Sadorus  prouilly  says  that  at  their  first 
election  there,  ihe  voters  were  all  democratic 
but  one,  and  might  perhaps  have  remained 
so,  but  Dr.  Somers  converted  Ike  and  John 
Miller  to  the  republican  jiaity  in  18.56,  antl 
ihtis  the  repiU)llcans  got  a  foothold  in  their 
limner. 

KAUI.Y   f OrUTS. 

When  the  county  of  Champaign  was 
established  in  18;>i,  courts  were  opened  in 
due  time  and  Mr.  Sadorus,  as  the  record  will 
show,  took  an  early  part  in  the  pioceedings. 
He  well  remembers  the  early  judges, 
Harlan,  Treat  and  Davis,  and  the  early 
sherifls,  Saulsbnry,  Stevenson,  Cox,  Ater, 
IjCwis  and  Stidham. 


.'(OCIAI,   EVENTS. 

As  before  stated,  the  early  settlers  were, 
though  living  far  apart, very  so(!iable  among 
themselves  and  hospitable  to  all  strangers. 
The  young  people  gathered  together  from 
considerable  distances  for  corn  "huskings" 
and  "railings"  and  celebrated  the  conclusion 
of  tlie  Work  with  a  dance.  Whiskey  was 
plenty  at  twenty  cents  a  gallon  and  did  not 
produce  near  as  bad  a  drunk  as  the  highly 
taxed  and  drugged  article  of  this  day.  Mr. 
Sadorus  iniilt  a  log  barn  :^0.\00  feet  at  one 
time  and  called  his  neighbors  from  the  Big 
(irove.  Salt  Fork,  Mouticello,  Lake  Fork, 
and  away  down  on  OKaw,  to  help  to  raise 
it.  li  took  two  days  to  do  the  work  but  the 
young  peoiile  danced  all  night  the  second 
night.  A  barrel  of  whiskey  and  large 
aumunts  of  provisions  were  used,  but  no 
bad  drunks  nor  fights  resulted.  Melinda 
Jiusey  (nflerwards  Mis.  Bryan)  of  Urbana, 
was  one  of  the  company. 

Ill  this  wa>  acquaintances  were  made  aiul 
kept  up,  marriages  were  contracted  and 
life-long  friendships  formed.  Wm.  Sadorus 
in  1838,  when  twenty-six  years  old,  married 
Mary  Moore,  of  Lake  Fork,  Shelby  county, 
and  settled  on  land  he  had  entered  four 
years  before,  building  for  himself  a  log 
cabin  as  was  the  custom  everywhere,  but 
receiving  tne  aid  of  his  neighbors. 

SCHOOLS. 

No  schools  were  opened  in  the  settlement 
until  1839,  when  a  man  named  Hooten 
taught  a  family  school  in  Mr.  Sadorus' 
kitchen  for  a  short  time.  Mr.  Sadorus  sent 
his  son  William  to  a  school  at  Georgetown, 
Vermilion  county,  and  while  he  was  there 
the  surveyor  was  engaged  in  plating  and 
laying  out  the  town.  It  afterwards  became 
the  seat  of  the  Georgetown  Seminary  and 
quite  an  educational  centre.  Henry  Sadorus 
was  also  sent  to  a  school  ten  miles  this  side 
of  Danville 

The  first  public  school  in  the  settlement 
was  taught  by  John  Hamilton,  in  1840,  in  a 
log  school-house,  built  about  one  mile  north 
of  the  village,  in  the  upper  end  of  grove. 
It  is  said  this  school  was  taught  before  a 
lloor  had  been  laid  or  a  window  put  in  the 
house  and  before  it  liad  been  "chinked  and 
daubed." 

REI.IOIOU.S. 

William  Sadorus  says  that  the  lirst  .sermon 
preached  and  the  first  religious  exercises 
held  in  the  Grove  was  by  Peter  Cartwright, 
but  he  can  not  give  the  date.  He  was 
followed  by  Arthur  Bradshaw,  who  was 
aiipointetl  to  the  Urbana  mission  in  1839. 
His  field  embraced  the  territory  for  a  long 
distance  down  the  O'Kaw  and  Ambraw. 


lU-4 


PJOyEEHS  OF  CHAMPAlOy  CUCXTY 


The  settlers  prepared  a  set  of  puncbeon 
benches,  which  were  hauled  from  house  to 
house,  where  appointments  were  made  by 
Bradshaw.  The  timber  was  of  linn  and  so 
was  light  and  easily  handled.  These  ap- 
pointments were  not  very  frequent  hut 
were  well  attended. 

PERMANENT  HOME. 

Id  18.38  Mr.  Sadorus  built  for  himself  and 
family  a  very  pretentious  permanent  home, 
after  having  lived  in  their  cabin  home  four- 
teen years.  It  was  a  two-story  frame  build- 
ing about  m  feet  front  by  20  feet,  attached 
to  which  was  an  ell  of  considerable  size.  It 
had  for  its  supports  big  granite  boulders, 
gathered  from  the  fields.  The  siding  was 
hauled  from  Coal  Creek,  Ind.,  while  other 
portions  of  the  sawed  lumber  was  brought 
froui  Moses  Thomas'  mill  near  Homer, 
while  some  was  brought  from  Heptoustall's 
mill,  a  short  distance  below  Urbana. 

This  house  was  roomy  and  afforded  the 
host  better  facilities  for  extending  that 
hospitality  to  strangers  for  which  he  was 
noted.  This  home  and  that  of  William 
Rock,  three  miles  farther  south,  were  in 
their  time  the  best  cm  the  creek  and  were 
often  the  scenes  of  social  gatherings  arid 
always  of  generous  hospitality. 

MILLS. 

The  first  milling  facilities  enjoyed  by  the 
.settlement  were  a  choice  between  a  mill  in 
Morgan  county,  Illinois,  and  mills  beyond 
thej  Wabash  in  Indiana.  These  were  in 
part  supplied  by  a  horse  mill  made  by  Mr. 
Sadorus  in  1830.  It  was  made  of  dressed 
boulders  and  run  by  horse  power.  It  would 
grind  only  a  bushel  of  corn  in  two  hours  or 
four  or  five  bushels  in  a  day.  It  would 
grind  but  not  bolt  the  grain  and  was  better 
than  to  go  one  hundred  miles  east  or  west 
to  mill.  They  subsequently  resorted  to 
.lohn  Brownlield's  mill  in  the  Big  (Jrove 
and  to  'I'honias'  mill  at  Homer. 
CRIME. 

The  r)nly  homicides  were  the  killing  of  I)e 
Haven  bs  I'atterscm,  in  1S5M,  and  later  tiie 
killing  of  .John  Itice,  by  Thompson  Laugh- 
lin.  Dr.  Haven  was  killed  by  a  weight 
thrown  by  I'atteison  and  IJice  by  a  gun^^hot. 
Patterson  was  tried  and  sent  to  tlie  peni- 
tentiary and  Lauglilin  was  tried  and  ac- 
qiiitled. 

('ONTI.IISIO.V. 

In  the  course  of  time,  here  as  everywhere 
else  in  our  country,  the  seclusion  of  the 
frontier  gii\  e  way  to  the  forces  of  civili/a- 
tion,  and  the  iron  horse  jdouKhed  its  way 
through  Sadorus'  Grove  about  on  the  line 
of  the  "Narrows,"  adopted  by  Sadorus  and 
his  fellow  pioneer,  Joe  Smith,  as  the  line 
between  their  possessions  and  across  the 


land  entered  by  William  Sadorus  in  1834. 
In  the  period  of  the  state  internal  im- 
provement craze  in  1837  a  line  was  run 
through  the  grove  for  this  road  about  half 
a  mile  north  of  the  present  location,  but 
notliing  more  came  of  it,  until  eighteen 
years  afterwards,  in  the  fullness  <>f  time, 
the  Wabash  road  was  built  and  now  its 
thirty  trains  a  day  thunder  past  William 
Sadorus'  door  and  through  the  silvan  shades 
where  he  and  his  father,  aluio-t  seventy 
years  since,  tirst  broke  the  solitudes  which 
prevailed  since  Creation's  morn. 

Mr.  Sadorus.  now  a  patriarch  of  almost 
eighty  years,  lives  with  his  tliiid  wife  not 
far  away  from  the  point  where  they  tirst 
pitciied  their  camp  on  April  0th.  1S24,  while 
his  brother  Henry,  younger  by  twelve  years, 
lives  a  mile  away.  A  dense  population  has 
taken  possession  of  the  adjacent  timber  and 
prairies  and  elbowed  the  hunters  and  their 
game  therefrom. 

The  old  pioneer,  Henry  Sadorus,  died 
July  18,  1S78,  aged  almost  ninety-five  years 
and  now  with  his  faithful  wife  who  died 
thirty  years  before,  sleeps  in  the  little 
cemetery  near  his  home,  but  immediately 
upon  the  banks  of  the  stream  he  loved  so 
well  and  so  long.  His  name  is  borne  by  his 
township  and  village  and  will  never  be 
forgotten. 


I 


